Information on How Calcium Lactate Works in the Body
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Calcium Lactate
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Calcium lactate is a dietary supplement found in both pill and liquid forms. This dietary supplement is used to promote strong bones and good health. It is also used to decrease phosphate levels and can be found in most antacids. It can be purchased as an over-the-counter medication, or in prescription form, for those suffering with low calcium levels or those suffering from ailments that require a higher dosage than what is available in the over-the-counter medication.
Cause of Calcium Deficiency
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Stomach acid is needed to breakdown otherwise insoluble food so that the food's nutrients can be absorbed into the body. Age and some illnesses inhibit the absorption of nutrients, which then leads to a deficiency. This is the case in those suffering from calcium deficiencies.
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Active and Passive Absorption Sites
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The beginning of the small intestine is known as an "active transport site." This is where most of the supplemental calcium lactate that is taken into the body will be absorbed. This particular site in the body can only absorb between 225 and 450 mg calcium at one time. If your body has already taken in adequate amounts of calcium, the body will not absorb the supplement from this small intestinal site.
If the calcium lactate is not absorbed from the active transport site, it then travels to the end of the small intestine, known as the "passive diffusion site." The bottom portion of the small intestine has the highest level of pH, which stands for hydrogen-ion concentration. The bottom portion of the small intestine is where the greatest amount of calcium is absorbed at an average of 48 percent.
Absorption from the Colon
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Upon leaving the small intestine, the calcium lactate will enter the colon. Here, probiotics, which are living bacteria, are improved by the calcium, which in turn will lower the intestinal pH. This process makes the calcium more soluble, allowing even more calcium to be absorbed through the intestines.
Unused Calcium Leaves the Body
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Calcium, after absorption has taken place from these three sites, is distributed throughout the body to the specific areas that require the calcium element to maintain proper health. After the soluble calcium has traveled through the body, and absorption has been attained, the excess calcium lactate that was not needed, or not absorbed, will be excreted through the kidneys.
Considerations
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Calcium lactate, that has the lowest elemental weights, has the highest solubility factor. Calcium must be soluble to travel through, and be absorbed, in the main absorption sites in the intestines, to maintain and promote good health. Certain disease and illnesses may inhibit proper absorption of calcium lactate. Medications can also inhibit absorption of calcium lactate, or the calcium lactate supplement can adversely affect the medication. Speak with your physician before beginning a regime of a calcium lactate supplement.
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