Calcium Gluconate
As most people know, calcium plays an essential role in the human body. Calcium is necessary to ensure our cells, nerves, and bones function properly. When there is a lack of calcium in the blood, the body will take calcium from the bones, which weakens them. Therefore, ensuring your body has adequate levels of calcium at all times is imperative, especially as you age. That is where calcium gluconate comes in. Calcium gluconate is the calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is made by mixing gluconic acid with either calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. Its specific purpose is to provide more calcium to people who are calcium deficient. Keep reading to discover more about calcium gluconate, including its many benefits for your body and skin.
Overview
Calcium gluconate is a form of medication that is most often injected into the veins, but can also be consumed orally with or without food. It is given to people who suffer from low blood calcium levels or to treat those with diseases caused by low blood calcium levels. Osteoporosis, rickets, osteomalacia, and hypoparathyroidism are examples of such diseases. In addition to treating calcium deficiency, calcium gluconate is sometimes recommended to patients to ensure they are getting enough calcium, such as women who are pregnant or nursing, menopausal women, or people taking medications like phenytoin.
Benefits
Calcium gluconate has many beneficial medical uses. These include treating low blood calcium, high blood potassium, magnesium sulfate overdoses, and hydrofluoric acid burns. In some instances, calcium gluconate is also prescribed for cardiac arrest and in the past, was considered an antidote to black widow spider bites. Furthermore, some studies have indicated that calcium gluconate might also have skincare benefits. Mainly, calcium gluconate is known for its skin soothing properties, resorting and smoothing skin when applied topically. However, research is still inconclusive in regards to its skin benefits.
Safety
Calcium gluconate is generally regarded as safe and is even on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. However, it can cause side effects. Constipation and nausea are two of the most common side effects. In some cases, more serious side effects can result from consuming calcium gluconate. These include diarrhea, headaches, low blood pressure, hot flashes, increased thirst, slow heart rate, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, or muscle pain. As a safety precaution, make sure to notify your doctor about any allergies in advance, as well as any other medications that you are currently taking. Calcium gluconate can cause an allergic reaction and has been known to decrease the absorption of other drugs, such as antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or bisphosphonates like alendronate.
