Indu S, Ashok Kumar P, Krishna Rao S and Jayaram H
Calcium is an essential nutrient of the human body. The main source of calcium in the body is from the food we eat. But the absorption of calcium is limited due to the presence of phytates, oxalates, etc. Many countries in Asia have average dietary calcium intake less than 500 mg/day. Countries in Africa and South America mostly have low calcium intake between about 400 mg/day and 700 mg/day. Only Northern European countries have national calcium intake greater than 1000 mg/day. Hence there is a need to depend on calcium supplements. Several forms of calcium compounds are used as supplements. Calcium supplementation has its own advantages and disadvantages. The inability to ascertain proper absorption from the gut, selection of suitable compound as per clinical condition, dose fixation etc. are challenges of modern calcium supplementation. Ayurveda uses drugs from plant, animal and mineral origin as calcium supplements. Ayurvedic calcium supplements are used in a wide range of morbidities ranging from fever to cardiac ailments. These articles highlight the calcium supplementation from ayurvedic perspective in the light of the classical literature and recent researches in these aspects.
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