Which mineral supports healthy teeth and bones, muscle contraction, and blood clotting?

• A. Iron
• B. Calcium
• C. Potassium
• D. Sodium

Answer: (B)

Calcium is the mineral that does all three of these roles. It forms the mineral part of bones and teeth, giving them strength and structure, and bones act as a reservoir to release calcium when the body needs it. It is also essential for muscle contraction: calcium ions are released inside muscle cells to enable the interaction of contractile proteins, allowing muscles to contract in response to a stimulus. In the blood clotting process, calcium acts as a key cofactor in several steps of the coagulation cascade, helping the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and the formation of a stable clot. While iron, potassium, and sodium have important bodily functions, they do not integrate these three specific roles in the way calcium does.