Know everything about Calcium Deficiency- Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Calcium is considered a precious gem to the body. The Ca2+ ion operates as an electrolyte and is an essential element to the muscular, circulatory, and digestive systems. It is a requisite for the building of bone and supports amalgamation and purpose of blood cells.

In a human body, 99% calcium is stored in bones and teeth, which provides support to the skeletal function and structure. Other 1% is of calcium in the body is aided for other emergency functions like muscle contraction, blood expansion and contraction, and sending messages via nervous system.

According to online statistics, 68% of the American population is calcium deficient. Usually, the teenage girls and boys, ladies over 50, and gentlemen over 70 are at a greater risk of not meeting daily calcium requirements and leads to calcium deficiency.

Although the symptoms of calcium deficiency are not visible in the early stages, they only become visible as the deficiency progresses.

Most common signs and symptoms of Calcium Deficiency

Tetany and Muscle Spasms

Hypertension

Formation of Kidney Stones

Sleeplessness

Brittle Nails and Dry Skin

Unusual Menstrual Cramps

Joint Pain

Osteoporosis and Fragile Bones

Kyphosis or Curvature of the Back

Causes of low calcium levels in the body

1. Improper Consumption of Nutritional Diet

Low consumption of calcium from food is the main reason for a deficiency in children and teenagers because of the growing demand for the mineral during development. Today, more than 85% of girls and 60% of boys aged from 9 to 18 do not get sufficient 1,300 milligrams per day. This is quite necessary because 99% of peak bone mass is obtained by age 18 in girls and age 20 for boys.

This is the foremost reason for calcium deficiency in older age groups between 50 and above. It certainly plays an important function in the human body and regulating the absorption of calcium in the intestines. It causes the kidneys to decrease the flow in urine. This is a major part of the mechanism with the help of which the human body maintains the normal blood calcium level.

2. High Blood Pressure

Hypertension or high BP affects around one of the four adult Americans. According to the survey conducted, women who consume 800 mg/day calcium, have a 23% of getting high BP than the ladies who only take 400 mg/day.

Apart from this, other factors such as menopause, aging, low magnesium levels, pancreatitis and genetic factors are a few more reasons for calcium deficiency in a person.

Treating Calcium Deficiency

One of the finest ways to prevent calcium deficiency is by adding more calcium in your daily diet. Some of the sources rich in Calcium are:

1. Oranges

2. Flax Seeds

3. Papaya

4. Almonds

5. Celery

6. Broccoli

7. Milk

8. Nuts and Seeds

9. Yogurt

10. Beans

In addition to increasing your calcium intake, it is vital to maintain healthy habits such as exercising regularly, maintaining healthy body weight, and also avoiding alcohol and smoking.

So, ensure you have sufficient amounts of calcium supplements in your diet to maintain a long and healthy lifestyle.