Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a substance commonly found in rocks that is widely used as a dietary supplement or an antacid. Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO₃. It exists in the form of the minerals calcite and aragonite in rocks such as limestone, chalk, and marble. It is one of the most useful and versatile materials on Earth. Calcium carbonate is also the primary component of pearls and various types of shells and is the active ingredient in agricultural lime. As a dietary supplement, calcium carbonate is typically prescribed to patients who do not get enough calcium in their diets. It is also regularly used as an antacid to help relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach and is the main ingredient in brand name medications like Tums and Children’s Pepto. Whether intended for use as a dietary supplement or an antacid, calcium carbonate is available over the counter and does not necessarily require a prescription.

Background

To understand the importance of calcium carbonate, it is first necessary to have an adequate understanding of calcium. Calcium is a chemical element and a mineral that is vital to all living things. The most abundant mineral in the human body, calcium plays a critical role in health and well-being. People need to consume a certain amount of calcium in order to ensure that their bodies develop and function properly. Fortunately, calcium is found in such a wide variety of foods that the proper quantity can usually be ingested in with a normal diet.

Calcium contributes to health in numerous ways. Most of the body’s calcium is found in the bones and teeth. Calcium plays a vital role in the development, growth, and maintenance of bone. Calcium strengthens the bones until their density reaches its peak when a person is around 20–25 years old. As bone density gradually begins to decline after that point, calcium helps maintain the bones and slow the rate of bone density loss. Those who do not consume enough calcium face an increased risk of developing a bone-weakening condition known as osteoporosis later in life.

Calcium is critical to other body functions as well. Notably, calcium helps regulate muscle contraction. Calcium is released whenever the nervous system stimulates a muscle to make it contract and move. When stimulation occurs, calcium is pumped into the muscle to aid the proteins in muscle to do the actual work of contracting. The muscle is able to relax when this calcium is subsequently pumped back out. Similarly, calcium also aids in allowing the smooth muscles surrounding blood vessels to relax. Calcium helps to ensure proper blood clotting and is a co-factor for numerous enzymes as well.

Because calcium does not occur naturally in the body, it must be consumed on a regular basis. As it happens, calcium is found in a wide range of easy available foods. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are among the foods with the greatest amount of calcium. Other calcium-rich foods include seaweeds, nuts, seeds, beans, figs, broccoli, spinach, tofu, dandelion leaves, and fortified breakfast cereals.

Overview

As a mineral, calcium carbonate accounts for a little more than 4 percent of Earth’s crust and is found in various forms across the globe. Limestone, marble, and chalk are among the most common natural sources of calcium carbonate. These types of rock are formed through the sedimentation of shells and coral over a period of millions of years. Regardless of whatever form it is found in, calcium carbonate is an extremely versatile material that can be used for a variety of practical purposes.

Calcium carbonate is typically extracted through mining or quarrying for industrial use. There are two different methods for producing pure calcium carbonate. On one hand, it can be directly produced from marble. On the other, it can be produced by passing carbon dioxide into a solution of calcium hydroxide. The latter process results in the creation of a product called precipitated calcium carbonite (PCC). Among other things, PCC is frequently used in the manufacture of paper. Another industrial product known as ground calcium carbonate (GCC) can be created by crushing and processing limestone into a powdery form. GCC is used for a diverse range of industrial and pharmaceutical purposes.

Medicinally, calcium carbonate can be taken as a dietary supplement or an antacid. When taken as a dietary supplement, calcium carbonate helps those who are otherwise calcium deficient to ensure that they are receiving an adequate supply of calcium. Calcium carbonate is one of several calcium supplements available for medicinal consumption. Others include calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, and calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate supplements come in tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, and even liquid forms. Regular tablets and capsules can be swallowed whole. Whether they are chewable or not, calcium carbonate tablets and capsules should be taken with a glass of water. Liquid forms of calcium carbonate can be consumed directly, though some may need to be shaken beforehand. Regardless of form, calcium carbonate can provide a much needed boost in calcium levels when taken as a supplement. However, it can also produce side effects such as upset stomach, vomiting, belching, constipation, dry mouth, increased urination, loss of appetite, or a metallic taste in the mouth.

When taken as an antacid, calcium carbonate can help relieve uncomfortable digestive issues caused by excess stomach acid. This includes heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. Like other antacids, calcium carbonate effectively lowers the amount of acid in the stomach. Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient in a number of brand name antacids, including Tums, Rolaids, Miralac, Caltrate 600, and Children’s Pepto. Calcium carbonate should not be taken as an antacid for more than two weeks except with explicit instructions from a doctor.

Regardless of whether it is used as a dietary supplement or an antacid, taking calcium carbonate can be particularly risky for people with certain medical conditions. These conditions include kidney disease, kidney stones, cancer, and parathyroid gland disorders. Taking calcium carbonate can also be dangerous for patients who already have elevated levels of calcium in their blood.

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