Summary
There are six essential nutrients that humans need: Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water. Minerals and Vitamins are often overlooked when people are focusing on their diet, however, this should not be the case. They are extremely important to human health, and if they are neglected, horrible repercussions may follow. Minerals/Vitamins that are important to our well-being and physical growth are called Micronutrients. A Micronutrient is defined as the following by the Oxford Dictionary – “A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms.” Without the proper amount of intake of a Micronutrient, physical growth can be impacted. Many internal issues can also arise. NASM writes this on the subject, “There is evidence that micronutrient insufficiencies are linked to multiple age-related chronic diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.” Clearly, Micronutrients are something that we do not want to lack. One specific Micronutrient that is extremely important to our health is Calcium. In the next couple of paragraphs, we will explore calcium deficiency more closely looking at the symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Description
It is impossible for your body to produce calcium on its own, thus your body has to get it from your diet. If your body doesn’t get enough calcium it will go through a process called demineralization. Your body begins retrieving calcium from your bones, teeth, etc. This of course leads to issues within your body. Bones and teeth will both get weakened from this process since they also require the use of calcium. However, that is not all. Doctors Health Press writes this, “Calcium is needed for the release of hormones and enzymes, blood coagulation, regulating muscle contractions, transmission of nerve signals, and moving blood through our blood vessels.” Even though calcium is vital for our bones and teeth, it is also needed for other functions in our body. Being calcium deficient can severely disrupt the function of the body.
Symptoms
Calcium deficiency can have a wide range of symptoms, which makes it hard to detect at an early stage. However, some of the most common signs are fracturing bones, muscle cramps, tooth decay, and brittle nails. If your body has a lack of calcium, neurological symptoms can also occur such as memory loss, depression, and hallucinations.
Treatment
As stated above, if you do have a Calcium deficiency it can sometimes be difficult to spot at an early stage. Ultimately the best way to protect your health from this disease is asking your doctor how much calcium you should have in your diet. This is important since having too much calcium in your body can also cause a range of problems. Medical News Today Writes this, “Before taking calcium supplements, talk to a doctor. Taking in too much calcium, an issue called hypercalcemia, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney stones, and other serious health problems.” Usually, it’s best to first fix your diet and then consider supplements. However, if symptoms are severe enough a doctor might recommend jumping straight to calcium supplements. Ultimately it depends on the situation and the doctor will evaluate the damage and the action that should be taken.
Prevention
The best way to prevent calcium deficiency is having a proper diet and getting your calcium levels checked. With a diet rich in calcium, you are ensuring that your body is receiving the amount of
calcium that it needs. A few calcium rich foods are the following:
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Leafy Greens
- Beans and Lentils
- Sardines
- Milk
The foods you eat can play a huge part in your health. It’s important to eat the correct foods to help prevent calcium deficiency.
References
“A Guide to Micronutrients: Examples, Recommendations, and Sources”; Nasm.org; A Guide to Micronutrients: Recommendations & Sources [NASM]
“What Happens When Calcium Levels are Too low”; MedicalNewsToday.com; Calcium deficiency disease (hypocalcemia): 7 symptoms and causes (medicalnewstoday.com)
“Calcium Deficiency: Symptoms , Causes, and Treatments”; DoctorsHealthPress.org; Calcium Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments (doctorshealthpress.com)
“Hypocalcemia (Calcium Deficiency)”; Healthline.com; Hypocalcemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment (healthline.com)
News Articles
NDTVFOOD gives a couple healthy and delicious calcium rich recipes. These recipes are easy to make and are an easy way to insert more calcium into your diet right away. A healthy diet can help prevent calcium deficiency.
The Longview News-Article discusses the impact vitamins and supplements can make. They discuss how taking calcium supplements can help prevent calcium deficiencies like brittle bones and other bone diseases.
In this article by Medical News Today, they discuss calcium supplements. They explain who might need them, what the supplements can do, the dosage you should be on, and recommend four different supplements. I found this article very helpful.