Calcium is an essential mineral for the body that helps to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium is also required for the proper functioning of the heart and other muscles in the body. Deficiency of calcium may exhibit mild symptoms in the body that can sustain and lead to serious problems like osteoporosis, osteopenia, and hypocalcemia. Calcium also gives a good height to kids of growing age. That is why it is said that humans who do not get enough calcium dosage in their childhood years do not grow to their full potential height as adults.
There are numerous sources of calcium like food, supplements, and vitamins. The best way of fulfilling the nutrition needs of the body is to consume a balanced diet. The chances of calcium deficiency rise with age. There can be a number of causes leading to calcium deficiency in the body, like not taking enough calcium for a long period of time, especially in the early years of life.
Also, some medications can reduce the calcium absorption capacity of the body. More possible factors of calcium deficiency are dietary intolerance to calcium-rich foods, genetic factors, and hormonal changes. Below are the signs of calcium deficiency:
Muscle problems
When calcium deficiency hits the body, it may cause muscle aches, cramps, and spasms. In body movements, muscle pain can arise in parts like arms and thighs. Another sign of calcium deficiency is numbness and tingling in the hands, arms, feet, legs, and around the mouth. Some people try ignoring the symptoms by doing physical activities like walking, running, and doing exercises. But they do not disappear with such activities. The pain persists and can increase as the deficiency gets more intense.
Chances of fatigue
Apart from enhancing bone and teeth strength, calcium also provides energy to the body. Hence, low levels of calcium in the body can lead to extreme fatigue and make you feel sluggish all the time. This condition can worsen and may lead to insomnia. When calcium deficiency is the cause of fatigue, conditions like lightheadedness, dizziness, and brain fog may arise that may lead to lead to lack of focus, forgetfulness, and confusion in the brain.
Nail and dental problems
Calcium deficiency in the body can be easily checked with the redness in the nails. The deficiency of calcium may lead to skin problems and nail issues like dry skin, dry and brittle nails, coarse hair, eczema, skin inflammation, skin itchiness, and psoriasis. Since calcium is important for good dental health, lack of it may lead to issues like tooth decay, brittle teeth, irritated gums, and weak tooth roots. When the body lacks enough calcium, it pulls it down from the teeth.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis
The bones are functioned to store calcium as they require a high level of calcium to stay strong. When the overall body gets deficient in this essential mineral, the body can divert calcium from bones, making them brittle and prone to injury. This also makes the bones weaker. A long-term calcium deficiency in the body can lead to a condition called osteopenia, a reduction of mineral density in the bones. Osteopenia can further cause osteoporosis, leading the bones to thin and becoming vulnerable to fractures.
These were the common signs of calcium deficiency. One must consume an adequate quantity of calcium to maintain a healthy body, especially bones and teeth. To get over calcium deficiency, one must consume calcium-rich food items in their regular diet. Some calcium-rich foods are soybeans, oranges, dry figs, kale, broccoli, salmon, sardines, low-fat yogurt, skimmed low-fat milk, cottage cheese, and fortified oatmeal.