The Nutrition and Health Series of books have had great success because each volume has the consistent overriding mission of providing health professionals with texts that are essential because each includes (1) a synthesis of the state of the science; (2) timely, in-depth reviews by the leading researchers in their respective fields; (3) extensive, - to-date fully annotated reference lists; (4) a detailed index; (5) relevant tables and figures; (6) identification of paradigm shifts and the consequences; (7) virtually no overlap of information between chapters, but targeted, interchapter referrals; (8) suggestions of areas for future research; and (9) balanced, data-driven answers to patient/health prof- sionals' questions that are based on the totality of evidence rather than the findings of any single study. The series volumes are not the outcome of a symposium. Rather, each editor has the potential to examine a chosen area with a broad perspective, both in subject matter as well as in the choice of chapter authors. The international perspective, especially with regard to public health initiatives, is emphasized where appropriate. The editors, whose trainings are both research- and practice-oriented, have the opportunity to develop a primary objective for their book; define the scope and focus, and then invite the leading authorities from around the world to be part of their initiative. The authors are encouraged to provide an overview of the field, discuss their own research, and relate the research findings to potential human health consequences. Calcium performs diverse biological functions in the human body and is a micronutrient essential to human health and well-being. It serves as a second messenger for nearly every biological process, stabilizes many proteins, and in deficient amounts is associated with a large number diseases and disorders. In Calcium in Human Health, a panel of highly respected researchers and clinical practitioners comprehensively reviews the state of our knowledge concerning this ubiquitous micronutrient, not only demonstrating its importance to human health, but also defining its many complex roles. The authors summarize the latest basic scientific information on the cellular and metabolic functions of calcium, explaining the leading techniques for accurately measuring its bioavailability, absorption, and kinetics, and showing that calcium deficiency is a major problem while calcium excess a rare one. They also examine the complex regulation of calcium absorption, distribution, and excretion, as well as the multiple interactions of diet, lifestyle, and physical activity in calcium homeostasis. Their discussion of the specific roles of calcium in a variety of clinical disorders-osteoporosis, oral health, obesity, reproductive disorders, and the metabolic syndrome-provides new insights and raises new questions. The complex changes in calcium and phosphate regulation that occur in renal disease and the potential role of calcium in hypertension and vascular disease are also addressed.
Comprehensive and authoritative, Calcium in Human Health offers health professionals and researchers a vast amount of current information on the sources, biological function, interactions, and disease implications of calcium, a critical benchmark resource for improving the health outcomes of individuals, finding new drugs that alter the function of the extracellular calcium receptor, setting adequate dietary requirements, and developing new disease-prevention programs.

From the reviews:

"This volume, part of the Series Nutrition and Health, reviews in 28 chapters divided into 6 sections, the latest scientific information on the cellular and metabolic functions and need of calcium. ? Each chapter has references ? . A well organized, easy readable text of great actual interest." (Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews, Vol. 4 (2), 2006-2007)