Description

The combination of Calcium Lactate, Ascorbic Acid, and Calcium Carbonate is a compound supplement designed to provide a comprehensive source of calcium and vitamin C. Calcium Lactate and Calcium Carbonate are two different calcium salts, each with a varying amount of elemental calcium and absorption characteristics. Ascorbic Acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C. This combination is typically available in effervescent tablets or chewable tablets, making it easy to consume.

Indication

This combination is indicated for the treatment and prevention of deficiencies in both calcium and vitamin C. Its primary uses include:

• Osteoporosis and Osteopenia: As a supplement to increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women and the elderly.
• Hypocalcemia: To treat or prevent low blood calcium levels caused by various conditions.
• Nutritional Supplementation: For individuals with insufficient dietary intake of calcium and/or vitamin C, such as growing adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with specific dietary restrictions.
• Scurvy and other Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms: To prevent or treat symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, such as fatigue, gum disease, and impaired wound healing.
• Adjunct Therapy: Used alongside other treatments for conditions where calcium and vitamin C play a supportive role, such as certain cases of rickets or bone fractures.

Mechanism of Action

The therapeutic effect of this combination is a result of the individual and synergistic mechanisms of its components.

1. Calcium’s Mechanism (from Calcium Lactate and Calcium Carbonate)

• Absorption: Both calcium lactate and calcium carbonate release calcium ions (Ca2+) in the gastrointestinal tract. Calcium is absorbed through a combination of active transport (which is vitamin D-dependent) and passive diffusion. Calcium carbonate, being less soluble, requires stomach acid for optimal absorption, whereas calcium lactate is more readily absorbed regardless of stomach acid levels.
• Physiological Roles: Once absorbed, the calcium ions are crucial for a multitude of biological processes:
  • Bone Health: Calcium is the primary mineral component of bone. It combines with phosphate to form hydroxyapatite crystals, which give bones their strength and rigidity. Supplementation increases the available calcium for bone mineralization, helping to prevent bone loss and promote bone formation.
  • Nerve and Muscle Function: Calcium ions are essential for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction, including the function of the heart muscle.

• • Blood Clotting: Calcium is a vital cofactor in several steps of the blood coagulation cascade.

2. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)’s Mechanism

• Enzyme Cofactor: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a cofactor for several enzymes. Its most critical role is in the synthesis of collagen, a protein that forms the structural framework of bones, cartilage, skin, and blood vessels. It is essential for the hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues, which is a key step in creating strong, stable collagen fibers.

• Antioxidant: As a powerful antioxidant, ascorbic acid protects the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

• Enhancing Calcium Absorption: While vitamin D is the primary facilitator, vitamin C can also help enhance the absorption of minerals like calcium. It contributes to the overall health of the intestinal lining and may help maintain an acidic environment in the stomach, which can aid in the absorption of calcium carbonate.

3. Synergistic Effect

The components work together to enhance each other’s effects. The calcium provides the building blocks for bone, while the ascorbic acid is essential for synthesizing the collagen matrix upon which the calcium is deposited. Without adequate vitamin C, the collagen framework of the bone would be weak, even with sufficient calcium. This combination ensures that both the mineral and the structural protein for healthy bones are available.