The Calcium/Virus Connection
Viruses are known to use calcium and cellular calcium-binding proteins to promote their entry into cells, enhance viral replication and gene expression among other actions. Calcium is a universal cellular messenger. Viruses use this action for their prolific replication throughout the body. The relationship between viruses and calcium falls into three main categories; 1) viral proteins directly impact calcium homeostasis due to altering membrane permeability or affecting the calcium signaling; 2) Viral proteins...
Calcium – Mastering Mineral Series 1
Calcium ranks fifth, after oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, in the mineral composition of the human body. It makes up 1.9% of the body by weight. We require an average daily positive calcium balance of 180 mg during the first 20 years of growth. Around 99% of total body calcium is located in the skeleton. The remaining 1% is distributed evenly between the teeth and soft tissues, with only 0.1%...
Sodium – Mastering Minerals Series 1
In this article we look at the latest research on sodium, including storage, and an individual’s ability to absorb it and utilise it independent of intake. Characteristics of sodium InterClinical eNews July, Issue 108 Sodium is the sixth most abundant element in the earth’s crust and the second most abundant element in seawater. An adult human body contains about 250g of sodium and any excess is naturally excreted by the body. About 85%...