Tag: Calcium salts

Approximately 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. But when considering supplementation, many wonder, **is calcium salt bad for you**? The answer lies in understanding the difference between dietary intake and excessive supplemental use.

According to the Mayo Clinic, calcium gluconate contains approximately 9% elemental calcium, meaning it is not the most concentrated form of the mineral. This is a crucial distinction, as the amount of elemental calcium is the biologically active portion that the body can use, not the total weight of the compound itself.

Severe hyperkalemia, with potassium levels above 6.5 mEq/L, can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias that require immediate medical intervention. The question of what does calcium carbonate do for hyperkalemia arises, but it is a critical misconception, as intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate or chloride are the appropriate treatments for cardiac stabilization, not oral calcium carbonate.

While gourmet salts like Himalayan pink and Celtic sea salt are often touted for their mineral content, studies show the amount of calcium they provide is negligible. To find out what salt is high in calcium, one must look beyond culinary options toward specific calcium salts used in supplements and food fortification. These specialized forms contain significantly higher, and more bioavailable, levels of this essential mineral.