Calcium Chloride – What Is It Used For?

calcium supplements

You may not know it by name, but calcium chloride can be found in refrigeration plants, on roads and in concrete. This exceedingly useful chemical is even used in the medical field for everything from promoting bone health to preventing a magnesium overdose. It is often an additive in calcium supplements, though the most popular supplement is calcium carbonate.

Medically, calcium chloride can be injected intravenously to treat low calcium (Hypocalcemia), Black Widow Spider bites, hives, magnesium intoxication, acute lead colic or cardiac arrest. When patients pass out during open heart surgery, a dose of this can wake them up. In some patients who are experiencing weak myocardial contractions, boosting calcium levels can succeed where epinephrine failed. Naturally, the presence of calcium balances the presence of everything from potassium and magnesium to stomach acids. If a patient is experiencing an adverse reaction to Cardizem, a Calcium Channel Blocker drug like calcium chloride can intervene and prevent a heart attack. Biologists sometimes use this compound in genetics to increase cell membrane permeability to ensure DNA uptake.

Surprisingly, this medical compound and industrial product can also been found in food. Calcium chloride is sometimes used as a firming agent or drying agent and has been approved by both the European Union and the US FDA. It is estimated that people ingest roughly 160-345 mg/day, although direct consumption would result in stomach irritation and ulceration. You may notice this compound on packages of sports drinks, pickles, chocolate bars, vegetables, milk and beer.

There are some dangers in dealing with calcium chloride, however. You will want to wear goggles, gloves and masks when handling it directly to avoid skin irritation or inhalation. Ingesting dry pellets can burn the mouth and esophagus. If an injection is administered, then veins may become irritated and it may result in sloughing and necrosis if it touches surrounding tissues, so great care must be taken. Additionally, kidney failure patients may have adverse reactions to changing calcium levels, phosphate solutions or products containing aluminum.

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