Calcium study

Today perhaps, to read about calcium's interaction with everything else.

First interesting find of the day : the atherosclerotic contributions of Ca2+ are due to its intracellular action resulting in vasoconstriction. In a functional feedback loop, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration THEN triggers NO release which antagonistically leads to vasodilation. So to some degree, the athletic benefits of NO's vasodilatory effects, actually require Ca2+ to function properly.

Second interesting find : Ca2+ moderation is also essential for optimal functioning of the raphe nuclei's serotonergic neurons, affecting wakefulness, sleep, and the overall serotonergic system, associated with diseases of mood ( depression, anxiety, OCD, schizophrenia, etc. ) and CO2 sensitivity ( normal : panic if CO2 is too high ).

Third interesting find : Ca2+ competes with Mg2+ for gut absorption, so I should just park Mg2+ in the bread recipe, and Ca2+ in the kimchi recipe, separately.

Fourth : Ca2+ contributes in mitochondrially complicated ways to energy production. When Ca2+ levels are normal, calcitriol ( final form of vitamin D ) will increase fat burning, but if Ca2+ levels are pathologically low, more calcitriol will lead to fat accumulation instead.

( Also today, after yesterday's supplementation of ~500mg Ca2+ I found that there was less need for caffeine upon waking. That makes sense. I will continue to monitor this. )