How Does Calcium Deficiency Affect Your Body?
Role Of Calcium In The Human Body
Calcium is a crucial nutrient, and it is the most abundantly found mineral in our bodies. Calcium is important for the maintenance and development of the bones and teeth. Calcium also helps in the functioning of the muscles, heart, nerves, and other parts of the body. It is also essential for bone formation, and this process is called bone mineralization. The formation of the bones takes place by a combination of the mineral complex like calcium phosphate, which helps in providing more density, structure, and strength to the bones. Calcium provides the structure and the rigidity to the skeleton. The ions of the calcium play an integral role in a number of metabolic processes. The foods rich in calcium include milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables, yogurt, baked beans, soy milk, cabbage, onions, broccoli, gooseberries, sprouts, dried fish, ranges, and egg yolk, etc.
Deficiency Of Calcium in Human Body
The deficiency of calcium can be regarded as a disease that affects the normal functioning of the body due to the deficit amount of calcium present in the body. Bones are the living tissues in our bodies, and the regular absorption and release of bone minerals keep happening in the body. At the moment when there is an inadequate amount of calcium in the blood vessels, the body starts removing calcium from the bones. This process can be quite dangerous for the functioning of the whole body. If this deficiency lasts for a long time, then it can result in the decalcification of teeth and bones, which increases the risk of bone fractures and bone deformation.
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Hypocalcemia is not an immediate process as the bones store the required amount of calcium in the body. The deficiency of calcium in the human body could be a result of hypertension, colon cancer, kidney stones, cardiovascular disease, weight management, diabetes, etc.
Causes Of Calcium Deficiency
The following could be the causes of calcium deficiency in humans: -
High alcohol or coffee consumption
Dietary intolerance-lactose intolerant or people allergic to dairy products
Disorder of calcium absorption
Kidney diseases
Increase demand for calcium requirement by the body due to stages/phases such as puberty, breastfeeding, pregnancy, etc.
Elevated phosphorus level
Medication such as cortisone
Hormonal disorders
Massive blood transfusions
Thyroid diseases
Pancreatitis
Genetic factors- Vitamin D resistance syndrome or inherited disorders of calcium and phosphate homeostasis
Age-infants and children are known to absorb as much as 60% of the calcium-rich food they consume. With the increase in age, the absorption level gradually decreases to about 15-20%
Calcium Deficiency Symptoms
The symptoms of calcium deficiency could range from mild to severe, depending on the extent and duration of calcium deficiency in the body. Following are a few symptoms of calcium deficiency:
Brittle fingernails
Miscarriages
Cancer
Heart failure
Loss of height
Infertility
Digestive disorders
Numbness in hands
Disturbances in bone metabolism
Extreme fatigue- low level of calcium can cause sleepless nights and extreme levels of fatigue. Lack of energy, lethargy, light-headedness, brain fog can lead to a lack of focus and cause confusion.
Hallucination
Compression fracture
Dry and itchy skin
Tooth decay-due to weak roots, irritated gums, and brittle teeth
Muscle problem- one of the earliest signs of calcium deficiency where people feel pain in the arms and thighs, especially the underarms. The pain can be accompanied by numbness or tingling sensation in the hands, feet, legs, or mouth area.
Painful premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Depression
Low blood pressure
Difficulty in swallowing
Intestinal cramping
Memory loss (due to improper brain mechanism)
Anxiety and irritability
Spasms of the lungs
Spinal or hip pain
Calcium is a major mineral in our body that is responsible for the health of our bones and teeth. It also aids in combating cancer, regulation of muscle contraction and heartbeat, and heart diseases. Calcium assists in maintaining a good immune system and also metabolizes the iron present in the body.
Around 99 percent of the calcium is stored in bones and teeth. The deficiency of the calcium can be treated by including calcium-rich dietary food like milk and other dairy products in our meals. This can help prevent the risk of developing a bone disease and will help your bones and teeth stay strong and healthy.
FAQs on Calcium Deficiency Symptoms Explained
1. What are the most common symptoms of calcium deficiency?
The common signs of calcium deficiency, or hypocalcemia, often involve the muscles and nerves. Key symptoms include:
Muscle Problems: Aches, cramps, and spasms, particularly in the back and legs.
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness, lethargy, and a general lack of energy.
Skin and Nail Issues: Dry skin, eczema, and brittle nails that break easily.
Neurological Signs: Tingling or numbness in the fingers, toes, and around the mouth.
Dental Problems: Weak roots, brittle teeth, and gum irritation.
2. What serious diseases can be caused by long-term calcium deficiency?
Chronic calcium deficiency can lead to severe bone-related diseases. In adults, it can cause osteopenia, a condition of low bone density that is a precursor to osteoporosis, where bones become so brittle and weak that they fracture easily. In children, a severe lack of calcium and Vitamin D results in rickets, a condition characterized by the softening and weakening of bones, leading to skeletal deformities and stunted growth.
3. How are the symptoms of calcium deficiency in children different from those in adults?
While both groups can experience fatigue and muscle cramps, the primary symptoms differ due to their developmental stages. In children, symptoms are related to growth, including delayed development, dental problems like late tooth eruption, and bone deformities seen in rickets. In adults, symptoms are more focused on the deterioration of existing bone, leading to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and a significantly higher risk of fractures from minor falls.
4. What are some of the best dietary sources to increase calcium intake?
To increase calcium levels naturally, you can include several food groups in your diet. The most well-known sources are:
Dairy Products: Milk, yoghurt, and cheese are rich in highly absorbable calcium.
Leafy Green Vegetables: Spinach, kale, and collard greens are excellent plant-based sources.
Fortified Foods: Many breakfast cereals, plant-based milks (like soy or almond), and orange juices have calcium added to them.
Fish: Canned sardines and salmon, where the soft bones are consumed, are very high in calcium.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, chia seeds, and sesame seeds also contribute to calcium intake.
5. How are Vitamin D and calcium deficiency connected?
Vitamin D and calcium have a critical relationship. Vitamin D is essential for the body to effectively absorb calcium from the food you eat in the small intestine. Without sufficient Vitamin D, you can develop a calcium deficiency even if your dietary calcium intake is adequate. This is why many calcium supplements also include Vitamin D and why sunlight exposure is important for bone health.
6. Beyond bone health, why is calcium essential for the body?
Calcium's role extends far beyond the skeletal system. It is a vital mineral for several critical bodily functions, including nerve signal transmission, which allows your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. It is also necessary for muscle contraction, including the steady beating of your heart muscle, and plays a key role in the process of blood clotting and the secretion of certain hormones.
7. What is the difference between osteoporosis and osteomalacia?
Although both are bone diseases, they differ in their fundamental nature. Osteoporosis is a disease where the density and quality of bone are reduced, making them porous and highly susceptible to fracture. In contrast, osteomalacia is a disorder where the bones are soft rather than brittle. It's caused by impaired bone metabolism, primarily due to a severe deficiency of Vitamin D, which prevents the proper mineralisation of the bone protein matrix with calcium.
8. What are the symptoms of dangerously low calcium levels, known as severe hypocalcemia?
Severe or acute hypocalcemia is a medical emergency with more intense symptoms. These can include severe muscle spasms (tetany), confusion, memory loss, depression, and hallucinations. The most dangerous symptoms are seizures and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
9. Can a person become calcium deficient even if they consume enough calcium-rich foods?
Yes, it is possible. Calcium deficiency is not always caused by poor diet alone. Other factors can interfere with calcium absorption or regulation, such as a significant Vitamin D deficiency, chronic kidney disease, or digestive disorders like Crohn's or celiac disease that impair nutrient absorption. Furthermore, issues with the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium in the blood, can also lead to hypocalcemia regardless of dietary intake.
