Calcium (Ca) is the most abundant mineral in the human body, making up our bones and teeth. A small additional amount is found in our blood and fluid between cells.
Calcium deficiency is also known as ‘hypocalcemia’. ‘Hypercalcemia’ (not to be confused with hypocalcemia) is when abnormally excessive blood calcium levels are detected.
Calcium Deficiency Symptoms
Calcium deficiency symptoms can vary widely—ranging from nonexistent or mild to severe and life-threatening. Chronic and untreated deficiency of calcium can cause many severe consequences, including rickets, osteopenia, and osteoporosis.
Low blood calcium levels and the lack of calcium may lead to the following are the symptoms of deficiency of calcium:
- Fainting
- Heart failure
- Chest pains
- Numbness and tingling sensations around the mouth or in the fingers and toes
- Muscle cramps, particularly in the back and legs; may progress to muscle spasm ( tetany)
- Wheezing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Voice changes due to spasm of the larynx
- Irritability, impaired intellectual capacity, depression, anxiety, and personality changes
- Fatigue
Ways to Increase Calcium Intake
If you feel low with calcium, try to get the majority of your calcium from food sources (see our post “Calcium-Rich Food: Tasty Choices Are Easy to Find“). While dairy is a concentrated source of calcium, other components in dairy make it a poor choice for maintaining bone health.
Instead, opt for foods high in calcium; examples: salmon and sardines canned with bones, kale, collards, broccoli, mustard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, and sesame seeds. For calcium supplements, choose calcium citrate or calcium citrate malate, and take it in at least two divided doses with meals for the best absorption.
What’s Deficiency of Calcium Disease?
Calcium is a vital mineral. Your body uses it to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed for your heart and other muscles to function properly. When you don’t get enough calcium, you increase your risk of developing disorders like:
- osteoporosis
- osteopenia
calcium deficiency disease (hypocalcemia)
Children who don’t get enough amount of calcium in their childhood are more prone to calcium deficiency. They may not grow to their full potential height as adults. So, they require to consume the recommended amount of calcium per day through the food you eat, supplements, or vitamins.
What Causes Hypocalcemia?
Many people are at an increased risk for calcium deficiency as they age. This deficiency may be due to a variety of factors, including:
- poor calcium intake over a long period of time, especially in childhood
- medications that may decrease calcium absorption
- dietary intolerance to foods rich in calcium
- hormonal changes, especially in women
- Other causes of hypocalcemia include malnutrition
How’s Hypocalcemia Treated?
Calcium deficiency is usually easy to treat. It only involves adding more calcium to your diet. But taking more than the recommended dose of calcium supplements without a doctor’s approval can also lead to serious issues like kidney stones.
Commonly recommended supplements for calcium include:
- calcium carbonate, which is the least expensive and has the most elemental calcium
- calcium citrate, which is the most easily absorbed
- calcium phosphate, which is also easily absorbed and doesn’t cause constipation
- Calcium supplementsare available in liquid, tablet, and chew able forms.
