Consult Super-Specialist Doctors at CARE Hospitals
Updated on 28 July 2023
Our bones depend on a balanced diet and a continuous supply of nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D, for their health and strength. People require calcium to develop and maintain healthy bones and teeth. Additionally, it is crucial for other bodily processes like blood circulation and muscle control. Our bodies require vitamin D to absorb calcium from diet effectively. In addition, Calcium must be absorbed from the foods we eat because it cannot be produced by the body.
Our bodies will take calcium from where it is stored in our bones if we do not consume enough of it to maintain them operating normally. As a result, our bones gradually weaken over time, which increases the risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become extremely brittle. It can also result in other conditions like osteopenia and hypocalcaemia.
In addition, if the calcium intake in children is not enough, they might not grow to their full potential height. Hence, it is essential to consume the amount of calcium per day that is recommended, through different food sources, vitamins, and supplements.
The recommended daily intake of calcium varies for people of different age groups. Below-mentioned is the daily suggested intake for adults -
Calcium is a bone-building mineral for our bodies. The bones and teeth hold a majority of the body’s calcium, which is about 99%. It is responsible for making them strong and hard. The remaining amount of calcium is dedicated to other activities that are responsible for keeping the body functioning normally. It also helps the blood vessels expand and constrict, muscles contract, and in the transmission of the nervous system.
Every day, calcium enters and exits the bones as they undergo continual remodeling. The total amount of bone mass grows in children and teenagers because the body replaces lost bone more quickly than degrades new bone. This lasts until around age 30, at which point the pace of new bone creation and old bone disintegration roughly equalises. Bone is broken down more quickly than it is created up in older adults, especially in post-menopausal women. Consuming a small amount of Calcium in the diet will cause Osteoporosis.
Calcium deficiency may occur due to several reasons, including:
There are several effects of deficiency of calcium overall body. However, there may not be any early symptoms. Over a long period, a person with calcium deficiency might experience low bone density, which can further lead to brittle bones (Osteoporosis). Osteoporosis is called a “silent” disease” because there are typically no symptoms until a bone is broken. In advanced osteoporosis, the patient may have Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, Loss of height over time, stooped posture, and bone that breaks much more easily than expected. Osteoporosis is diagnosed with a DEXA bone mineral density test before the onset of symptoms.
Some severe symptoms of acute calcium deficiency are:
To improve your bone health and up your calcium intake, you can follow these simple tips:
You can also consult an expert dietician for creating a diet balanced with calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D intake.
Smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to lower bone density and weaker bones. Nicotine slows the production of the bone-forming cells that are so crucial to healing.
Chronic alcoholism results in disturbed vitamin D metabolism and chronic alcoholics usually have low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. It’s important to know that alcohol can also increase the risk of falls in older adults who have osteoporosis. This leads to fractures, which are the most serious consequence of osteoporosis.
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