Calcium: Properties, Abundance & Importance - A Comprehensive Guide

Calcium is best known as an important mineral for human consumption that aids in cell formation, particularly in bone structures. However, calcium is also a very abundant element, that belongs to the alkaline earth metal family of elements. Its atomic symbol is Ca.

Atomic Properties

• Calcium is the 20th element on the periodic table, and has an atomic weight of 40 AMUs.

Abundance

• The element of calcium is the 5th most common in nature and is found in large quantities in the earth's crust and in seawater.

Nutrition

• Calcium is an essential mineral in any diet and is very important for cell structure and bone density.

Common Foods With Calcium

• The most common source of calcium in food is Milk, but other dairy products as well as leafy green vegetables like broccoli and kale.

Warning

• Like any vitamin supplement, an overdose of Calcium is possible, and can cause hypercalcima, a disorder which causes extreme nausea and fatigue.