What foods replenish calcium in the human body. How to make up for calcium deficiency in the body - foods and drinks that will help. Magnesium deficiency symptoms

Without calcium, the human body cannot function normally. And this is a fact. This element forms the basis of bones and teeth, regulates the rhythm of heart contractions, reduces the pulse rate, and participates in the process of blood clotting. And its deficiency leads to diseases. Today we will tell you about how to prevent serious health consequences and make up for the lack of calcium in the body in a new material.

Calcium is a vital trace element for the body.

About 99% of all calcium and 70-77% of phosphorus in our body are part of the skeleton. The human body contains from 1 to 2.2 kg of calcium and about 650 g of phosphorus.

The lack of calcium in the body is a very insidious phenomenon. The consequences of the lack of an element are at first glance imperceptible and do not become noticeable immediately, they can appear only after a long time.

anxiety symptoms

Tension, anxiety, irritability, fatigue - can also be caused by a lack of calcium.

Also, as a result, the elasticity of the skin decreases, it becomes dry and lifeless.

The condition of the hair and nails worsens - they become brittle and dull. Enamel defects and caries are the clearest indication that calcium reserves should be replenished immediately.

But that's not all

The lack of Ca affects the muscles and contributes to the sensation of numbness, the development of spasms and convulsive seizures, involuntary trembling of the limbs (tremor), and the occurrence of nocturnal muscle cramps.

What is the essence of the problem?

All the complexity low absorption of calcium. It is about 25-30%. In order for the body to “accept” calcium, it must enter the body in a decent “environment”.

Phosphorus, magnesium, strontium and vitamin D are responsible for the absorption and regulation of calcium, which comes not only with food, but is also produced in the body under the influence of sunlight.

A logical question: how to replenish calcium reserves?

And nature itself can help with this! It is impossible to compensate for calcium deficiency in the body only with the help of tablets. They can only improve calcium absorption. There are natural products in which calcium is accompanied by substances necessary for absorption. For example, these are milk and dairy products, fish, nuts.

This macronutrient is well processed from beans, peas, lentils, aromatic plants (parsley, dill, basil), onions, cabbage, pumpkin and wild rose, all kinds of nuts.

Do not forget that one of the important sources of a macronutrient is drinking water, which supplies up to 30% of soluble calcium salts!

List of useful

These foods are high in calcium, and many also contain magnesium and vitamin D:

tofu cheese;
white, red and other beans;
spinach;
rhubarb;
curly cabbage (grunkol);
Chinese cabbage (bok choy);
broccoli;
algae or seaweed;
pistachios;
sesame seeds;
almond;
hazelnut;
dates;
canned fish (since they contain fish bones suitable for eating);
cilantro;
Dill;
parsley;
oat groats;
lemon juice.

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How often, when we feel unwell, we look for reasons where there are none. We try to blame the polluted environment, bad weather, negligent and conflicting employees, etc., for our problems. The condition of hair, nails, teeth has worsened - dirty air and radiation are to blame, problems with sleep and irritability have appeared - it's all the fault of stressful situations that provoke heartless people, tortured joint pain and high blood pressure - it's all the weather and hard physical labor. And we don’t even think that the reason for our condition can be purely internal and consist in a deficiency of vitamins and important trace elements, for example, a lack of calcium in the body.

Why do we need calcium?

It's no secret that our body includes most of the minerals from the periodic table, a detailed acquaintance with which takes place back in school years. One of these minerals necessary for a person is calcium (the 20th element of the table with the designation Ca).

In fact, 99% of the calcium in the body is our bones. And about 1% of the total amount of a trace element in the human body circulates through the circulatory system, which delivers this trace element to various organs and systems of the body. After all, the need for calcium is experienced not only by bone tissue.

Let's start with the fact that cell membranes contain such universal components for transporting nutrients into the cell as calcium channels. Thus, thanks to calcium, cells are nourished, the mechanisms of their aging and death are regulated.

First of all, calcium is necessary for bone and neuromuscular tissue. It is the basis of bones and teeth, is part of nails and hair, due to which all these components are sufficiently durable. Beautiful shiny hair, healthy strong teeth, strong smooth nails - aren't these indicators of health and beauty? It is not for nothing that this microelement received the title of “beauty mineral”. And it’s not even worth arguing about the need to maintain the mineral composition of the skeleton, because our ability to stand, walk, lift weights, etc. depends on it.

Calcium is involved in the regulation of the contractile function of human muscles, including the heart muscle. It is a conductor of nerve impulses, simultaneously nourishing the tissues of the nervous system.

Calcium in the blood maintains normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, regulates the secretory function of various glands that produce specific hormones, and blood clotting, controls enzymatic activity and DNA synthesis at different stages of this process. It is thanks to calcium that the internal environment of the body (homeostasis) is maintained.

It is not difficult to imagine how dangerous a lack of calcium in the body can be for a person, if virtually all of its performance depends on this mineral.

ICD-10 code

E83.5 Disorders of calcium metabolism

E58 Nutritional calcium deficiency

Causes of calcium deficiency

So, calcium deficiency is observed if a person regularly receives less than the required rate of this important trace element. But there are situations when people of the same age (for example, a husband and wife or twin children) eat the same food, get the same amount of calcium with it, but completely different levels of this mineral are found in their bodies. Let's see what can affect the calcium content in the human body.

Among the factors that cause a lack of calcium in the body are the following:

Improper nutrition with a predominance of genetically modified food components and synthetic substitutes for natural products that do not carry any nutritional value, but can negatively affect the metabolic processes in the body.
Strict diets for body shaping, which can not only limit the intake of calcium in the body, but also contribute to the leaching of the already existing mineral from the bones.
Some therapeutic diets with limited consumption of dairy products, meat, eggs, chocolate, i.e. foods high in calcium.
The lack of information about the calcium content in food and the body's needs for this trace element, which would make it possible to adjust your diet. Ignorance of this information leads to the fact that many people, even eating natural products, cannot cover the daily need for calcium.
Lack of information about the conditions under which calcium is absorbed in the body to a greater extent. This capricious element of the periodic table is not always easily absorbed in the intestines and absorbed by the cells. And some foods (for example, coffee and alcohol) and drugs (popular acetylsalicylic acid, which can be found in many drugs, tranquilizers, narcotic drugs) can even interfere with the absorption of calcium.
Lack of vitamin D in the body, which contributes to a more complete absorption of Ca. Causes of calcium deficiency due to vitamin D deficiency in the body can be: an insufficient dose of sunlight with increased sensitivity to it or constant exposure to the room, fasting, eating purely plant foods (vegetarianism).
Excessive passion for cigarettes and strong coffee, as a result of which calcium is poorly absorbed, and its insoluble compounds accumulate in the body, forming kidney stones.
Insufficient mineralization of drinking water.
Lactose intolerance, in connection with which a person cannot consume dairy and other products containing lactose. But dairy products are actually the main source of calcium from childhood.
Impaired estrogen production.
The presence in the body of a large number of trace elements that stimulate the excretion of Ca from the body. These trace elements include metals (lead, iron, cobalt, zinc), as well as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium.
Taking certain medications that can bind and remove calcium not only from the bones, but also from the body as a whole. These drugs include hormonal and anticonvulsant drugs, laxatives and diuretics, tranquilizers, antacids and regulators of gastric juice secretion (reduce absorption due to alkalization of the contents of the stomach), antibiotics (tetracycline, which is therefore not recommended for the treatment of children).

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Risk factors

Risk factors for the development of hypocalcemia can be periods of pregnancy and lactation, when the mother's body is forced to give part of the calcium to the child in her womb or breastfeeding, as well as some diseases with metabolic disorders.

As for diseases in which the level of calcium in the body decreases, here the pathologies of the digestive system come first, one of the causes of which is, again, an unbalanced diet. Worst of all, the situation is in violation of the absorption of Ca in the intestine, associated with various pathologies. It can be dysbacteriosis or a fungal infection (candidiasis), food allergies or chronic enterocolitis, and some other diseases.

The cause of hypocalcemia sometimes become: pancreatitis, diseases of the kidneys and thyroid gland (for example, hypoparateriosis), impaired hematopoiesis.

A sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to the development of hypocalcemia (slows down calcium metabolism), frequent stress, regular consumption of Pepsi-Cola-type drinks (especially in childhood), transfer of infants to artificial feeding (calcium absorption from breast milk is twice as high as from dairy mixtures). Heat treatment of foods also changes calcium in their composition, which makes it less absorbed.

Pathogenesis

It turns out that without the participation of calcium, the functioning of not a single organ or system of the human body is complete. Moreover, the need for calcium persists at all stages of human life: from the moment of conception until death.

The child begins to receive calcium from the mother's body even before birth. The body of a newborn baby already contains about 30 g of calcium. The human body gradually grows and develops, which means that the need for calcium remains for a long time.

You need to understand that once in the body, calcium does not remain there forever. It is constantly spent on the implementation of various processes of human life. Part of it is washed out of the body under the influence of certain factors, while more than 50% of calcium supplied from outside is not absorbed by the body at all.

All this suggests that calcium reserves must be constantly replenished, according to the needs of the body, which undergo certain changes in different age periods.

The basis of the pathogenesis of calcium deficiency in the body, which is called hypocalcemia in medicine, is a violation of the norms of microelement consumption, in connection with which the body receives less building material for the skeletal system and teeth, and other systems begin to experience malfunctions. So, let's talk about the daily intake of calcium for people of different ages.

For normal growth and development of an infant, his body must receive 400 mg of Ca daily. For babies from 6 months to a year, the need for calcium increases by another 200 mg and is 600 mg.

Children under 10 years old should receive about 800 mg of calcium daily, because during this period the child's skeleton is actively growing. The norm for adolescents and adults ranges from 800 mg to 1 g. In old age, the need for calcium increases even more and reaches 1200 mg per day.

An increased need for calcium is experienced by the elderly, young people engaged in hard physical labor, athletes and those who lead an active lifestyle, women during pregnancy and lactation.

The need for calcium depends on the processes occurring in the body in a particular period of human life. If a person constantly does not receive the daily norm of a microelement corresponding to his age and occupation, a lack of calcium in the body is detected, which manifests itself in the form of a certain symptom complex, indicating various disorders in the body.

First of all, the skeletal system suffers, of course, because it contains the lion's share of calcium. Since the distribution of calcium in the body is regulated by the parathyroid glands (small round formations around the “thyroid gland”), they, with the help of the parathyroid hormone synthesized by them, redistribute the mineral, taking calcium from the bones for the needs of other organs and systems in order to maintain homeostasis. Calcium in the required amount is excreted from the bones into the blood and distributed throughout the body.

In the absence of sufficient calcium intake, the bone that has lost part of the “building material” becomes more fragile and porous, its strength decreases.

For the sake of self-preservation, the body cannot take all the calcium from the bones. This means that this process will not last indefinitely, and at some point not only the bone, but also many other human systems will begin to feel a lack of calcium, which will negatively affect his well-being and capabilities.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body can be very diverse and resemble the manifestations of various pathologies and human conditions. Not all symptoms can be immediately associated with this pathology, but there are some that, when they appear, you should immediately think about normalizing nutrition and taking additional doses of calcium in the form of medications. True, before this, it is still necessary to visit a doctor who will confirm the diagnosis, give recommendations on nutrition and prescribe the doses of medications.

So, the first obvious signs and warning symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body can be considered:

Deterioration of the hair condition and their premature loss. Hair becomes dull and brittle, they are prone to delamination and oiliness (or drying out) due to metabolic disorders that cause malfunctions of the sebaceous and sweat glands.
Problems with teeth. This is a violation of the sensitivity of tooth enamel, premature damage to the teeth, frequent recurrences of caries, inflammation in the gums.
Increased fragility and delamination of the nail plate.
Painful look.
Convulsive syndrome.
The development of osteoporosis in adolescence and young age.
Increasing incidence of traumatism with bone fractures.

But this condition also has other manifestations that can hardly be called specific, and therefore they are often attributed to overwork or diseases such as arthritis, beriberi, hypertension, etc., but not hypocalcemia. However, calcium deficiency in the human body can be indicated by symptoms such as:

Decreased performance due to rapid fatigue and constant weakness.
Sleep disturbances, manifested in difficulties with falling asleep and waking up, even against the background of general calmness.
Manifestations of emotional lability (mood swings, outbursts of irritability and anger, acute inadequate reaction to criticism).
High susceptibility to stress, which was not previously observed.
Difficulties with concentration and memory.
Problems with muscles and joints. Incomprehensible pain in the joints of the arms and legs, muscle pain (myalgia), more frequent cases of cramps in the calf muscle, muscles of the hand and foot (especially under the influence of cold).
Tendency to bleeding due to decreased blood clotting due to lack of calcium. It can manifest itself in the form of frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy and prolonged menstruation. Sometimes bruising is noted on the body that is not associated with an injury to the body.
The appearance of intolerance reactions to antigens that have not previously caused such an immune response. In adults, this manifests itself in the form of a common allergy, in children - in the form of diathesis.
General decrease in the body's defenses. Decreased immunity entails more frequent cases of colds and infectious diseases that occur with complications or become chronic. There are also frequent exacerbations of chronic infections.

Ca deficiency in the body can also be indicated by symptoms such as early gray hair and increased sweating.

Sometimes the body itself tells us what it lacks. Children are more sensitive to such signals and less constrained by conventions, so they are happy to lick the walls and gnaw on chalk at any opportunity. Such behavior, as well as the insufficient growth of the child (relative to the norm for a certain age and taking into account heredity), becomes a clear sign that the baby's body lacks calcium.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body in women

Household problems, caring for her husband and children take a lot of time from a woman, and she does not even think about the fact that irritability, fatigue, deterioration in well-being and appearance are the cause of the pathological condition of the body, expressed in a lack of calcium.

And in vain, because frequent mood swings, constant weakness and fatigue, deterioration of hair and nails, dryness and pale skin tone with a decrease in its elasticity, recurrent caries, reduced immunity may well be symptoms of developing hypokalemia. And if you add to them bones that ache for the weather, muscle pain and cramps, increased blood secretion during menstruation (due to a decrease in its coagulability), bleeding gums, bone fractures, the appearance of allergies, the development of heart pathologies (arrhythmias, hypertension, etc. .), kidneys and thyroid gland, then a serious lack of calcium in the body is evident.

The reasons for the development of hypocalcemia can be different, we have already mentioned them above. But a purely female cause of a lack of Ca in the body is considered an unbalanced diet during pregnancy and lactation. Both while in the womb and during breastfeeding, the baby receives calcium for its growth and development from the mother's body.

After the birth of a child, the mother's body continues to take care of her offspring, producing milk, which is the main and only source of calcium for breastfeeding. It turns out that the mother, both before childbirth and after them, should receive the amount of calcium in such a way as to meet the needs of both her body and the baby's body. If this does not happen, both mother and child suffer. It is not for nothing that the daily calcium intake for a pregnant woman and nursing mothers is increased and is in the range of 1200-1500 mg.

By the way, it is also worth increasing calcium intake for women leading an active lifestyle, i.e. regularly performing sets of physical exercises that accelerate calcium metabolism.

Another delicate reason is the desire to remain slim and attractive to men in any way. Hence the fashion for strict diets that allow you to quickly remove extra pounds from the body. But ladies often do not think that along with these kilograms, not too much calcium can go away.

A decrease in calcium levels is observed in women both in the premenstrual period and during menstruation. Such changes are associated with hormonal imbalance during this period, because the female hormone estrogen is actively involved in the metabolism of calcium and contributes to its removal from the body. For the same reason, the development of osteoporosis during menopause is so often observed. The disease is accompanied by increased fragility of bones and withering of the skin. But if during menstruation, Ca deficiency is a temporary phenomenon, then during menopause a woman can experience it all the time.

By the way, many symptoms of menopause are associated precisely with a lack of calcium in a woman's body. These are hot flashes with pressure surges, fever and palpitations, and hyperhidrosis (especially at night), and psycho-emotional imbalance, and weakness of the muscles of the bladder, and even a decrease in libido.

Symptoms and causes of calcium deficiency in the body in men

Despite the fact that men are not worried about such moments as pregnancy, lactation, menstruation and a decrease in estrogen levels during menopause, the reasons for the development of hypokalemia in them are not much less than in women. In many ways, they are associated with bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol abuse, which interfere with the absorption of calcium in the intestines. In addition, adolescent boys are more prone to risky "games" with drugs.

A common cause of the development of hypocalcemia and osteoporosis in men is also hard physical labor against the background of insufficient intake of calcium in the body.

Do not think that osteoporosis is a disease of menopausal women. Although men suffer from this pathology somewhat less frequently than women, they tend to develop the disease earlier. This is especially true for men who are professionally involved in sports. Active sports and heavy physical activity contribute to the accelerated removal of Ca from the body, which means that the need for it increases and is equal to the norm for pregnant women (1100-1200 mg per day). By the way, this amount of calcium is contained in 1 liter of milk, but keep in mind that its digestibility in this case is only about 30%.

The lack of potassium and calcium in the body becomes a common reason that a young and generally healthy woman cannot get pregnant. And the risk of cervical erosion in such women is much higher.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body in men have been listed above. This deterioration in working capacity, irascibility, deterioration of the skin, teeth and nails, early baldness, the development of pathologies of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, etc.

Lack of calcium in the child's body

Calcium deficiency in children can show up at any age. If the expectant mother during pregnancy did not receive enough of this important trace element, which is a building material for life developing in the womb, Ca deficiency will certainly affect the condition and development of the child. The same can be said about the lactation period, while the child does not receive complementary foods.

Such babies, suffering from a lack of Ca, have reduced immunity, which is why they often have red rashes on their cheeks, indicating a tendency to allergies (diathesis). Children later begin to walk due to weakness of the legs, their grasping reflex is slightly weakened.

The lack of calcium in the body of a child has other manifestations. Both adults and children or adolescents with this problem are characterized by increased excitability, they often develop emotional lability associated with disorders of the central nervous system.

Such children may not sleep well, complain of pain in their legs, and later experience some learning difficulties due to lack of concentration and poor memory.

In adolescence, there may be complaints of crunching of bones and joints when moving arms and legs, pain in the spine. There is a violation of posture.

The leaching of calcium from the bones in older childhood and adolescence is largely facilitated by the passion for fast food and sweet carbonated drinks such as Pepsi-Cola. And the refusal to use healthy foods containing calcium, such as milk, cottage cheese, cheese, parsley, sesame seeds, etc., only exacerbates the problem.

Complications and consequences

Calcium is not only a building material for teeth and bones, but also a functional component of many processes occurring in the human body. This means that the lack of such an important trace element can hit many human organs and systems hard.

A lack of calcium in a child's body can negatively affect his future, since there is a high probability that the spine, which was incorrectly formed in childhood, will remind of itself even in adulthood. And here, taking calcium supplements is unlikely to fix anything, because everything needs to be done on time.

Chronic calcium deficiency in both childhood and adulthood is fraught with the development of nervous diseases, and emotional lability will be the easiest manifestation of them. The consequences of hypocalcemia can be astheno-neurotic syndrome, the development of encephalopathy, cerebellar insufficiency, psychosis, polyneuropathies, senile dementia, etc.

Constant fluctuations in blood pressure will negatively affect the work of the cardiovascular system, which has to work above the norm. In the end, the pressure will become consistently high, and we will have to talk about hypertension.

A prolonged lack of Ca in a child is fraught with negative changes in the lens of the eye, which will subsequently result in the development of subcapsular cataracts. In addition, these children have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis in adulthood.

Coagulation disorders due to calcium deficiency can cause large blood loss in trauma, which in some cases can be fatal.

It is not even worth talking much about such consequences as a decrease in immunity and the development of allergic and chronic infectious processes on this basis, premature loss of hair and teeth, increased bone fragility, loss of former attractiveness. Neither women nor men want this for themselves.

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Diagnosis of calcium deficiency

Despite such a vivid clinical picture, only a specialist doctor can determine the cause of the onset of symptoms and their relationship with a lack of calcium in the body. Since the symptoms of the condition are nonspecific, it may be necessary to conduct a series of examinations before the cause of the ailment is established.

Emphasis is placed on the study of the anamnesis and complaints of the patient. Any suspicious symptoms are taken into account, because calcium deficiency in itself can cause the development of various pathologies with their characteristic symptoms.

You can determine the current level of calcium in the body using laboratory tests. Analyzes are prescribed by the doctor in accordance with the clinical picture. A blood test is required. The normal content of Ca in the blood plasma is in the range of 2.15-2.5 mmol per liter.

To check the functioning of the kidneys, a general urine test is prescribed.

Instrumental diagnostics is carried out regarding possible pathologies (diseases of the heart, nervous system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract). Blood pressure and heart rate are measured. If there are noticeable deviations from the norm, indicating malfunctions in the cardiovascular system, the doctor may prescribe an ECG.

Among other things, such examinations as radiography and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis, EEG (study of the conduction of nerve impulses), etc., can be prescribed.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is carried out with diseases that have similar symptoms with a lack of calcium in the body.

Treatment of calcium deficiency

Treatment of this condition depends on the degree of neglect of the process. While the symptoms are implicit, it makes sense to adjust the diet, because calcium is not such a rare trace element and is found in many foods. In addition, there are many vitamin and mineral complexes that contain calcium in sufficient quantities, and will help fill the deficiency not only of calcium, but also of other important substances.

On pharmacy shelves, you can now find many specialized calcium preparations containing vitamin D 3, which helps this capricious mineral to be better absorbed.

Let's take a look at some of these drugs.

We will not focus our attention on budget one-component preparations in the form of calcium gluconate or calcium carbonate, because their digestibility leaves much to be desired. They are more suitable as a prophylactic against a lack of calcium in the body.

And here is a popular drug "Calcium D3 Nycomed"- this is a medicine of a different plan, which, in addition to calcium carbonate, also contains vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) to improve its absorption. Taking this drug is much more pleasant than pure calcium, because Calcium D3 Nycomed tablets have an appetizing orange (lemon) or refreshing mint taste.

You can take the drug 1 or 2 times a day. The daily dosage for adults is 2 tablets. For children 5-12 years old, the doctor may prescribe a medicine in the amount of 1 or 2 tablets. Toddlers 3-5 years old are given ½ or 1 tablet per day.

The tablets are intended to be chewed. You can take them both before meals and during it. The course of treatment for calcium deficiency is usually 4-6 weeks.

Analogues of the above drug are considered "Complivit Calcium D3" and "Vitrum calcium with vitamin D3".

Of particular interest are combined preparations, because a lack of calcium in the body is often accompanied by a deficiency of other useful substances (magnesium, potassium, zinc, etc.). Preparations of this kind are considered "Calcemin" and "Calcemin advance".

Preparations "Calcemin" And "Calcemin advance" administered according to the patient's calcium requirements. The second is an enhanced version of the drug, which is prescribed if bone problems begin, while the first drug is considered a prophylactic against demineralization of the body.

"Calcemin advance" is interesting in that it contains not only calcium (in the form of citrate and carbonate) and vitamin D 3, but several other useful trace elements: magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, boron. The addition of calcium citrate makes the drug effective even with low acidity of gastric juice. In addition, this component prevents stone formation in the urinary system.

Assign "Calcemin advance" to children over 12 years old and adults in a single dosage - 1-2 tablets per day with the possibility of increasing the daily dose to 3 tablets. It is recommended to take the drug during meals.

Calcium preparations are not prescribed in such cases: with an excess of calcium and vitamin D 3 in the body, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, pathologies that can cause the development of hypercalcemia, such as sarcoidosis, hyperthyroidism, cancerous tumors. Taking the drug in case of kidney failure, nephrolithiasis, hypercalciuria can lead to serious consequences. Preparations containing sugars are not used to treat patients with impaired glucose and fructose metabolism.

Taking calcium supplements may be accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms:

indigestion with nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea,
allergic reactions in the form of a skin rash, itching and redness of the skin, rarely - anaphylactic shock.

Long-term intake of large doses of calcium-containing drugs can provoke the appearance of calcium in the urine, the formation of urinary calculi (stones) with its participation.

Acute hypocalcemia is considered a life-threatening condition, so it is treated in a hospital setting. In any case, the intake of calcium preparations should be carried out in parallel with the control of its content in the blood and urine.

Homeopathy

If in traditional medicine it is customary to turn to calcium preparations mainly only when the symptoms of a deficiency of this mineral are present, then in homeopathy the approach to prescribing such drugs is completely different. Calcium preparations are prescribed mainly in childhood and adolescence, when the need for calcium, which is necessary for the growth of the skeleton, the formation of the immune and nervous systems, the accumulation of muscle mass and the implementation of many physiologically determined processes in the body is especially high.

For small children who are not indifferent to tooth powder, chalk and whitewash, but they do not tolerate milk well and dairy products are prescribed mainly drug Calcium carbonicum. Moreover, this homeopathic remedy is used for most diseases that develop in childhood. These are diseases of the skeletal system, and pathologies of the respiratory system, the nervous system and the circulatory system, and metabolism. Calcium carbonicum is used for migraines and epilepsy.

At an older age, this drug is prescribed for phlegmatic children with fair, delicate skin, sensitive to the effects of cold, which is why their feet are constantly cold. Such children do not like meat and milk.

Thin children with elongated features and increased excitability, not so sensitive to cold, but often suffering from diseases of the skeletal system, are shown the drug Calcium phosphoricum. These children are very fond of meat.

Slightly aggressive children with dental and bone structure disorders are prescribed a homeopathic remedy Calcium fluoricum.

Calcium sulfuricum is prescribed to children suffering from purulent diseases (for example, follicular tonsillitis), and its analogue Hepar sulfuris- strong, athletically built young patients with cold traits of character and epileptoid inclinations of temperament.

calcium around us

The lack of calcium in the body is a rather strange phenomenon, given that calcium in sufficient quantities can be found in many foods that are familiar to us from birth. Take the same milk, which is the most important source of calcium and vitamins for a child, starting from infancy.

And who does not know about the eggshell, which is almost 90% calcium? Eggshell from lack of calcium has been used for a long time. True, many scientists consider this source of an important trace element to be very doubtful. The whole problem is that calcium from the eggshell is absorbed very poorly.

This issue was proposed to be solved with the help of a lemon, because. acidic environment should promote the absorption of calcium. Thoroughly washed egg shells had to be dried, having previously been cleaned of the inner film, and ground into powder, after which it was taken daily for ½ tsp. powder mixed with lemon juice (2-3 drops). Calcium in this form is recommended for admission within 2 months with a course repeated 2 times a year.

But milk and eggshells are far from the only sources of calcium in nature. If the reader is interested in the question of what else can make up for the lack of calcium in the body, you should pay attention to those products that are quite often present on our table. These are any fermented milk products (and especially cottage cheese), seafood, vegetable oils, oatmeal, green leafy vegetables (parsley, dill, etc.). By the way, fish oil, as a source of vitamin D, is useful not only for children, but also for adults, since it helps to absorb calcium from other foods.

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The same can be said about strict diets that are not able to provide good nutrition, as a result of which the body will experience a deficiency of one or another important vitamin or microelement for it.

If a lack of calcium in the body can be caused by a violation of its absorption in the intestines, then it makes sense to correct the problem as soon as possible by contacting a doctor when the first signs of pathology appear.

The health of the bone, nervous, muscular and other systems of the baby should be taken care of by his mother, who during pregnancy and lactation should receive enough calcium to share it with her offspring for the sake of the health of both.

Update: October 2018

Calcium (Ca) is one of the most important macronutrients for the human body, involved in the construction of tissues and metabolism. The element ranks fifth in the list of all minerals found in the body, accounting for about 2% of a person's weight.

The role of calcium in the body cannot be overestimated. In addition to the well-known building material for bones and teeth, the macronutrient regulates the contractile function of the heart, nourishes the nervous tissue and participates in impulse conduction, lowers cholesterol, regulates blood pressure, takes part in the transport of nutrients through cell membranes, and much more.

Calcium is extremely important for pregnant women - only with its proper intake, the physiological development of the fetus and the normal state of health of the expectant mother are ensured.

The amount of calcium in the body

In newborns, there is about 30 grams of calcium in the body. Gradually, the amount of calcium increases in adults and is approximately 1000-1200 g (for an average weight of 70 kg). The daily intake of calcium from food depends on age and gender:

Reasons for the development of calcium deficiency

Behavioral and external causes

Insufficient intake of calcium from food, which is often observed when following certain diets for weight loss, unbalanced nutrition, vegetarianism, starvation, neglect of dairy products, etc.
Low calcium content in water.
Smoking, excessive passion for coffee (accelerate the excretion of Ca).

Diseases, pathological conditions

Violation of the absorption of a macronutrient in the intestine, which occurs against the background of dysbacteriosis, candidiasis, food allergies, chronic enterocolitis, etc.
Diseases of the kidneys, hematopoietic system, pancreas (pancreatitis), thyroid gland (familial, idiopathic, postoperative hypoparathyroidism, in which hypocalcemia develops due to increased production of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands).
Lack of estrogen
Rickets
(dairy and other products containing the element).

Metabolic disorders

Excess in the body of the following elements: lead, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, cobalt, potassium and sodium, which contribute to the excretion of calcium.
Deficiency in the body of vitamin D3, which is involved in the assimilation of the element and its incorporation into cell structures (the norm for an adult is from 400 to 800 IU).

Other reasons

An increased need for an element that is observed during a period of accelerated growth, during pregnancy and lactation (calcium is used to build fetal tissues or enrich breast milk), increased physical and mental stress (accelerated consumption), menopause (lack of estrogen that absorbs calcium).
Old age (impaired absorption of calcium).
Treatment with diuretics and laxatives (accelerated elimination).

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body

Weakness, fatigue, decreased performance.
Nervousness, irritability.
Dryness and peeling of the skin, brittle nails. Increased sweating of the scalp.
Tooth decay, caries.
Numbness of the fingers, face, cramps, pain in the legs and arms.
- fragility of bones, frequent fractures or cracks, deformation of bones.
Violation of cardiac activity up to the development of heart failure, tachycardia.
Subcapsular (with prolonged hypocalcemia).
Increased bleeding, impaired blood clotting.
Reduced immunity, which is expressed by frequent infections.
Increased sensitivity to cold weather (aches in the bones and muscles, chills).
Signs of calcium deficiency in children: violation of the formation of teeth and bones, pathological changes in the lens of the eye, disorders of the nervous system, excitability, convulsions, poor blood clotting.

Diagnosis of hypocalcemia

Diagnosis of the condition is carried out on the basis of the patient's complaints and the laboratory determination of the element in the blood serum (the norm is 2.15 - 2.50 mmol / l).

Treatment - how to compensate for the lack of calcium

Acute condition therapy hypocalcemia is carried out in a hospital, tk. this situation is life threatening.
chronic deficiency macronutrient requires taking calcium supplements, vitamin D3 and other elements, normalizing the diet and eliminating behavioral factors and products that impair the absorption of Ca or contribute to its loss.

Therapeutic drugs are prescribed in such a way that the daily intake of the element is approximately 1.5-2 g. Vitamin D preparations are selected in an individual dosage, based on the needs of the body. The course of treatment, as a rule, is long and is set individually. The modern pharmaceutical industry produces combined preparations containing both calcium and vitamin D3 and other necessary pharmacologically active substances.

Calcium preparations

Pharmaceutical preparations are prescribed for the treatment and prevention of conditions and diseases associated with hypocalcemia, as well as to accelerate the healing of bone fractures. Features of calcium preparations:

The composition should indicate the amount of elemental, pure calcium;
Better digestibility is achieved when taken with food;
Caffeine, carbonated drinks and alcohol significantly impair the absorption of the element;
Poor digestibility is also characteristic when combined with antibiotics from the tetracycline group, laxatives, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsants;
Often calcium preparations cause side effects in the form of abdominal pain, nausea, constipation.
Each drug has a number of strict contraindications (pregnancy, urolithiasis, tuberculosis, chronic renal failure, childhood, etc.).

All drugs from this category can be divided into 3 groups:

Monopreparations containing a macronutrient in the form of a salt: calcium carbonate (40% of the element), calcium citrate (21%), calcium gluconate (9%), calcium lactate (13%), etc.
Combined drugs, including calcium salts, vitamin D and other minerals. Vitamin D is involved in calcium metabolism, synthesis and maintenance of bone architectonics, therefore such dosage forms are more effective: Calcium D3 Nycomed, Calcemin, etc.
Multivitamins. They contain several vitamins and minerals in prophylactic dosages and are intended for the prevention of hypocalcemia, and are also prescribed as an additional source of the element: Multi-tabs, Alphabet, etc. (calcium content per 1 tablet 150-200 mg).

Popular drugs

Calcium carbonate and Magnesium carbonate

Rennie 170 -250 rubles. (menthol, orange, mint). Contains calcium in bound systemic form, 680 mg calcium 80 mg magnesium hydroxycarbonate per 1 chewable tablet. It is used to eliminate the shortcomings of these elements, and also has an antacid effect. It is intended for use by adults and children over 12 years old - 2 tab. after eating, dissolving in the mouth (maximum 11 per day).

Calcium chloride

In 1 ml - 0.1 g of calcium chloride. A drug prescribed for hypocalcemia, diseases of the thyroid gland, blood vessels. Produced as a solution for intravenous administration in adults (15 ml 2-3 r per day) and children (5-10 ml 2 r per day), diluted with glucose or sodium chloride.

Calcium carbonate + Colecalciferol

Popular combined preparations that compensate for the deficiency of the element and improve its absorption. Under the action of the drug, the absorption of elements in the gastrointestinal tract is regulated, increased synthesis of parathyroid hormones is prevented, and bone resorption increases. For therapeutic purposes, the dosage is selected individually. From prophylactic:

children 4-11 years old - 1 t 2 r per day
children over 12 liters and adults - 2 tons 3 r per day.

Calcemin Advance

30 pcs. 440 rubles, 120 pieces 850-900 rubles. Calcium citrate + carbonate 500 mg, vitamin D3 5 mcg - a complex drug designed to eliminate calcium deficiency and prevent conditions in adults and children from 12 years old. Contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, boron, cholecalciferol. It is taken 1 t 2 times a day.

Marine calcium

100 pieces. 100 rub. Available in several variations - with magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, iodine. It belongs to the category of dietary supplements and acts as an additional source of these elements during pregnancy, lactation and menopause in women, intensive growth in adolescents, etc.

During the entire period of treatment, it is necessary to control the level of serum calcium - every week during the first month, then the multiplicity decreases.

Eggshell from lack of calcium in the body

Many traditional medicine sources promote the consumption of eggshells as a natural source of calcium. Indeed, the egg shell is 90% calcium. But studies in recent years have shown that the digestibility of the element from the shell is very low, even when used with lemon or something else. Therefore, it is not worth considering eggshells as an alternative to a balanced diet or therapeutic drugs.

Sources give the following recipe for preparing eggshells: thoroughly washing and removing a thin inner film from it, the shell is dried and ground into powder. Take half a teaspoon a day with meals, adding a couple of drops of lemon juice. The course is 1.5-2 months, once every six months.

Calcium for the elderly - myths and reality

As you know, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases significantly in older people, and many, taking care of their health, increase their consumption of dairy products for sufficient calcium intake in the body. New Zealand scientists have questioned the need for a higher proportion of calcium to strengthen bones for people over 50 years old.

Mark Bolland, along with a team of researchers from the University of Auckland, analyzed 2 studies that looked at the effect of calcium on bone density. One of them covered the age group over 50 (13,790 people). As it turned out, the constant intake of calcium supplements and foods with a high content of the element increased bone density by only 1-2%.
Another study found a relationship between the incidence of bone fractures and calcium intake. More than 45,000 people participated in the survey. It turned out that regular intake of a macronutrient does not in any way reduce the likelihood of bone fracture.

Thus, the scientists concluded that there is no reason to take calcium supplements or switch to diets with a high content of the element in foods (at the same time, calcium should be supplied with food in the daily requirement).

But sufficient physical activity, in particular, jumping for 2 minutes daily is a good preventive measure for osteoporosis for the elderly. But let's not forget that this is just one study concerning a specific group of people without taking into account comorbidities and characteristics of the body. If a doctor recommends taking calcium supplements for confirmed hypocalcemia or a tendency to hypocalcemia, his recommendations should be followed.

Prevention of hypocalcemia

Prevention of this pathological condition for healthy people who do not suffer from diseases that lead to Ca deficiency consists in a number of elementary things that everyone can do.

Daily consumption of foods containing a sufficient amount of a macronutrient that can satisfy the daily need for it;
The use of foods rich in vitamin D, which ensures the transformation of Ca in the body and its better absorption (fermented milk, vegetable oils, eggs, seafood, fish liver, fish oil, oatmeal, greens);
Prophylactic intake of vitamin D for children in the autumn-winter period (on the recommendation of a doctor);
Sufficient exposure to sunlight during safe hours, excluding the period from 12 to 15.00, which ensures the synthesis of vitamin D in the human body;
Periodic use of balanced vitamin-mineral complexes, but on the recommendation of a doctor and observing physiological dosages. Drug prevention of hypocalcemia is especially relevant for pregnant, lactating and elderly women;
Compliance with proper physical activity, feasible sports.

Foods containing calcium

A complete diet with a sufficient proportion of calcium is the best prevention of both hypocalcemia and diseases associated with a lack of a macronutrient. It is easy to calculate the proper consumption of certain products, knowing the daily rate and the amount of the element in 100 grams of the product. There is a lot of calcium in dairy products, however, with age, their digestibility worsens, so you should not rely only on this source of the element. Also, a large amount of calcium is found in vegetables, seafood, nuts.

Some features related to the absorption of calcium

The digestibility of Ca from milk is only 30%;
Vegetable products are characterized by 50% macronutrient digestibility;
The diet should be rich in foods containing vitamins D, C and magnesium;
Nicotine, alcohol, coffee, soda (especially cola), sausages, smoked meats contribute to Ca leaching and impair its absorption;
Salt also contributes to the removal of the macronutrient from the body and negatively affects the gastrointestinal mucosa, impairing absorption.
The average daily intake of calcium for an adult should be 1000-1500 mg. This amount is due to the fact that not all of the calcium listed in the food list is absorbed by the body.

What foods contain calcium - table (amount of calcium - mg per 100 g of product)

Dairy products		Meat fish
Skimmed milk powder	1155	Sardines, canned	380
Cheese "Parmesan"	1300	Mackerel	240
Cheese "Dutch"	1040	Salmon family fish	210
Cheese "Cheddar", "Russian"	1000	Crabs	100
Cheese "Poshekhonsky"	900	Shrimps	90
Cheese "Swiss"	850	Oysters, anchovies	82
Roquefort cheese	740	Carp	50
Cream dry natural	700	Squid	40
goat cheese	500	Milk sausages	35
Brynza	530	Pike	20
processed cheese	520	Rabbit	19
Mozzarella	515	Chicken	17
Feta	360	Beef, lamb	10
Condensed milk	307	Beef liver, fatty pork	8
Soft cheese	260	pork fat	2
Simple yogurt	200	Vegetables, fruits, nuts
Fat cottage cheese	150	Sesame	780
Ice cream	140	Almond	230
fruit yogurt	136	Dill	208
Fatty kefir (3.5%), acidophilus, curdled milk, whole cow's milk	120	White beans	194
Liquid cream 10%	90	Hazelnut	170
Liquid cream 20%	86	brazil nuts, arugula	160
Sour cream, fat content 30%	85	Beans, figs	150
Mayonnaise 50%	57	Parsley	138
Butter sandwich	34	pistachios	130
Cream margarine	14	Walnut	122
Butter unsalted	12	Spinach	106
Grocery		Green onions, seeds, beans	100
Tea	495	Raisins, dried apricots	80
Chocolate white	280	Green salad	77
milk chocolate	220	Garlic, peanut	60
Coffee beans	147	red cabbage	53
Peas	89	red carrot	51
Barley grits	80	Turnip	49
Oat groats	64	Fresh white cabbage, sauerkraut	48
Chicken egg (yolk)	55	Kohlrabi, yellow carrot	46
Cocoa	55	strawberries	40
Hercules	52	Radish	39
Rye flour	43	Beet	37
Wheat groats	27	radish	35
tomato paste	20	Grapefruit, orange, Brussels sprouts	34
Buckwheat, semolina	20	Onion	31
Pasta	19	Grape	30
Rice	8	Apricot	28
Honey	4	fresh mushrooms	27
Bakery products		Cauliflower, green peas, pumpkin	26
Bread black	100	Cucumber, green bean	22
Wheat grain bread	43	Peach, pear	20
Bun	21	apple, melon	16
Wheat bread	20	Eggplant	15
Juices, drinks		Ground tomato, watermelon	14
cocoa with milk	71	Potato	10
grape juice	20	Green pepper	8
Apple juice, tomato	7	An Apple	7

During our lives, we eat a heavy brick of this mineral. From it, our body builds healthy bones and teeth, adds beauty to nails and hair. It used to be thought that osteoporosis caused by calcium deficiency was a disease of old women. It turned out that many of us are at risk, especially graceful young women, about whom they say “thin bone”.

For a long time, the lack of this mineral does not make itself felt. Although before the onset of such serious symptoms as bone pain, back deformity and frequent fractures, a person may be bothered by a feeling of fatigue, leg cramps at night, heart palpitations, brittle nails, periodontal disease.

Unfortunately, the habits of a modern person - physical inactivity and unbalanced nutrition - do not allow the body to properly receive calcium and deliver it to its destination. But this situation can be corrected.

six steps

Step one. We feed bones with calcium. If you have a tendency to osteoporosis, you need to give up hungry self-torture in the name of a wasp waist. This is a real "dance on the bones." Most of our contemporaries get less than half the required amount of calcium from food.

The sources of this vital chemical element are milk and dairy products. A lot of calcium is found in fish, vegetables with dark green leaves, especially cabbage. Manufacturers are now adding extra calcium to many cereals, breakfast cereals, dairy products, and fruit juices.

step two. We feed the body with vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium efficiently. A lot of this vitamin is found again in fish. In addition, it is synthesized by the skin when it is exposed to the sun. It is enough to hold your face and hands in the sun for 10 minutes to develop a daily dose of vitamin D.

Step Three. We keep our drunken dose. Addiction to alcohol ends not only with the fall, but also with the fall in the truest sense of the word. It is not difficult for a woman who does not know her “norm” to fall out of the blue and earn a fracture, because the bones become brittle: alcohol disrupts the metabolism of vitamin D in the liver - and calcium is not absorbed.

Step Four. Stop smoking, which causes severe bone loss.

Step Five. We limit ourselves to one cup of strong coffee a day. If you are unable to refuse large doses of a tonic drink, add milk to the cup, which replenishes calcium, which coffee washes out of the body.

Step Six. We increase motor activity. The greatest damage to bone tissue causes a sedentary lifestyle. The strategy of small loads is very useful here - you can’t drive a few stops by bus, but walk, go up or down not on the elevator, but on the stairs. Aerobics, shaping, swimming, skiing and skating are useful. Excellent support for calcium - strength gymnastics.

Norm or deficit?

The lack of just one trace element can lead to serious diseases. After all, the human body is a complex system, the slightest failure in the metabolism of which leads to serious destruction.

That is why doctors constantly advise us to take vitamin complexes. But the body needs to be given precisely those microelements that it lacks. How do you know what the body is asking for? If your body lacks exactly calcium, it is quite easy to determine by answering the questions of our test. For each answer A, give yourself 0, for B - 3 and for C - 5 points.

1. Your lifetime weight:

a) remain normal

b) fluctuates greatly or there is a tendency to be overweight

c) significantly below normal

2. You count your appetite...

a) normal

b) above the norm

c) often can not force myself to eat

3. How often do you have depression and do they affect sleep?

a) very rarely, but I always sleep well

b) like everyone else, but I don’t get enough sleep because of my lifestyle (work, family problems, etc.)

c) this is normal for me, and insomnia often happens

4. How much do you smoke?

a) did not start at all, or 1-2 cigarettes a day, in general - irregularly

b) about 5 years, less than a pack a day

c) over 10 years, more than a pack per day

5. You grew up with...

a) rural or small town in the outback

b) metropolis

c) extreme northern or southern regions with a problematic climate

6. How often do you visit the dentist?

a) as expected - 2 times a year

b) you have to deal with various problems and receive treatment 4-6 times a year

c) I have almost no healthy teeth of my own

7. Do you often catch a cold?

a) at most once a year, and usually easily, almost without fever

b) as everything happens with temperature

c) I am constantly sick, and often with a high temperature

8. Do you know what nail splitting is?

a) in general, no; they are very hard

b) sometimes nails can break

c) nail tissue comes off in strips constantly

9. Do you have unexpected pain in your joints and muscles?

a) never hurt before (although the knees and fingers may “click”)

b) only after exercise

c) often, especially in the evenings or during sleep, there is an ache

10 Are you happy with your hair?

a) yes, I have luxurious hair that does not require additional care

b) in general, yes, but I often use support agents

c) hair is thin, dull, baldness is outlined

If you typed from 0 to 16 points. Most likely, you are quite an athletic and looking after yourself person.

You have a need for calcium, but it will be easy for you to saturate your body with it by adding yogurt, low-fat milk, and sour-milk products to your diet.

If you are not a fan of milk, there are many other foods that have enough calcium: these are dark green vegetables (common cabbage, broccoli and turnip leaves); canned fish, sardine; legumes (peas, lentils); as well as almonds and sesame seeds.

From 17 to 33 points. You have a high need for calcium. Review your diet and reduce physical activity.

Excessive exercise can lead to muscle and joint pain and increased fatigue. All this negatively affects the absorption of calcium by the body. During the day, you must eat: half a pack of cottage cheese, 1-1.5 g of eggshell (it can be added to the main meal), a couple of slices of cheese, 2 glasses of milk. All this contains the daily norm of calcium - 500 or 1000 mg per day for an adult. For better absorption of calcium in the body, vitamin D is needed. It is advisable to be in the sun more often, since ultraviolet light helps the production of vitamin D. And vitamin D retains calcium in the body.

34 to 50 points. Your body has long been living in a catastrophic lack of calcium. The sooner you start taking supportive vitamin complexes, the better! And also revise your entire menu. Try to target only .

Prepared by Anna Barinova

Adequate intake of calcium is essential for maintaining our bones and teeth. The lack of this mineral was found even in prehistoric people, who, as archaeological trophies have shown, already suffered from rarefaction of bone mass - osteoporosis, and needed appropriate treatment.

In a healthy adult body, up to 1000-1200 g of calcium is found, the lion's share (about 99%) of which is in the skeleton and teeth - the main reservoirs of this mineral, in the form of hydroxyapatite (calcium associated with phosphates). The rest of the calcium is part of various biological media (blood, urine, feces, etc.). Calcium occurs in two states:

ionized (active divalent cation circulates in plasma);
non-ionized (inactive calcium, which is connected to blood proteins).

It affects the course of many vital processes.

Thus, the role of calcium is to provide:

normal structure of teeth and bones;
conduction of nerve impulses;
coordinated work of the muscular apparatus (including myocardium - cardiac muscles);
blood clotting;
adequate permeability of cell walls, necessary for the response of cells to different stimuli;
performance of the parathyroid glands;
fight against allergic and inflammatory phenomena;
protection against tumor processes in the colon.

Nutritionists believe that the daily requirement of a healthy person for calcium varies from 400 to 1200 mg. It is determined by age, reaching a maximum at the peak of puberty, after which the accumulation of the necessary bone mass is completed. Further, from the age of 25, it gradually decreases (up to 800 mg). The need can again increase during the period of bearing a child, breastfeeding, active sports activities and after 50 years (up to 1200 mg).

Calcium from food is absorbed mainly in the duodenum, vitamin D is involved in this process. In addition, a smaller part of it (10%) can be absorbed in other parts of the small intestine and in the large intestine. It is this amount of absorbed calcium that is determined by its content in the diet.

The lack of calcium in the body can be of various origins. Its reasons are:

pathology of the parathyroid glands (they produce parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium levels, enhancing its absorption);
Cushing's disease (the resulting excess of glucocorticosteroid hormones prevents the transport of calcium through the cells of the small intestine into the blood);
medication - glucocorticosteroids (same mechanism);
ailments of the thyroid gland (with hypothyroidism, the formation of calcitonin, a regulator of calcium metabolism, decreases);
lack of vitamin D;
deficiency of the main female hormones - estrogens (for example, in women who are in menopause, calcium absorption slows down and worsens);
intestinal diseases with impaired absorption (gluten enteropathy, Crohn's disease, etc.);
operations with the removal of the duodenum;
urolithiasis (subject to the calcium composition of the stones);
hypocalcium diet (for example, severe lactase deficiency, forcing patients to remove all dairy products from their diet);
profuse sweating;
hypodynamia;
work with phosphate fertilizers and fluorine-containing dust.

Symptoms

When calcium deficiency occurs, this macroelement begins to be washed out of the skeleton into the blood. At first, its mobilization from the bones is safe, but if there is no adequate replenishment of losses, then the depletion of calcium depots begins, which is accompanied by various adverse events.

Patients experience:

muscle cramps;
bone pain due to thinning of the bones and loss of bone mass;
pathological fractures from minimal trauma;
tooth decay;
memory loss;
arrhythmias;
violation of the formation of the skeleton (in children);
growth problems (in children);
toxicosis of pregnant women;
intrauterine growth retardation.

Diagnostics

Often, the detection of calcium deficiency is associated with a number of difficulties. Clinical manifestations occur with a pronounced lack of a mineral, some of them (for example, bone pain) can be explained for a long time by other reasons (“salt deposition”, uncomfortable shoes, etc.). Low levels of total calcium in the blood are not always due to its deficiency in the body, more often they are associated with a decrease in serum proteins.

Practitioners sometimes use:

determination of ionized calcium in the blood (but its indicator is often determined by the level of vitamin D);
bone densitometry (assessment of their structure and density);
analysis of the mineral composition of hair.

In the case of a verified calcium deficiency, doctors begin to correct this condition. For this, both dietary and drug methods are used.

diet therapy

To increase calcium intake, doctors advise focusing on dietary sources of calcium. These products are:

dairy products (the most consumed source of bioavailable calcium by the population, it is found in cottage cheese, milk, yoghurts, kefir, cheeses, sour cream, etc.);
green vegetables (white cabbage, broccoli, etc.);
turnip along with its tops;
leafy greens (basil, watercress, parsley, dill);
legumes (beans, beans, peas);
nuts (hazel, pistachios, almonds);
sesame;
sunflower seeds;
canned fish with soft bones (for example, sardines);
whole grains;
bone flour;
bean curd precipitated with calcium chloride;
calcium-fortified flours and juices.

But at the same time, the influence of other constituent components of food must be taken into account. So, calcium absorption is negatively affected by dietary fiber and phytic acid, so wheat bran and whole grains are ineffective. Some green leafy vegetables (spinach, celery, sorrel, etc.) are rich in oxalic acid, which also prevents adequate calcium intake into the serum.

In addition, carbonated drinks, coffee and alcohol impair the absorption of calcium.

Drug treatment

If necessary, doctors can include calcium supplements in the treatment. To compensate for the lack of calcium, apply:

calcium preparations (calcium gluconate, etc.);
combined products with calcium and vitamin D (Natekal, Calcium D3 Nycomed and others are the best option, because vitamin D contributes to better absorption of calcium);
vitamin-mineral complexes (Complivit, Multitabs, Nutrimax, etc., as a rule, contain small doses of calcium and are more suitable for preventive purposes).

The solubility of calcium salts increases in acidic gastric juice, so it is better to take them with food that promotes the production of gastric enzymes and hydrochloric acid. But to combine calcium preparations with drugs to lower gastric acid production is not worth it.

The timing of treatment can only be determined by a doctor.

Prevention

Some foreign nutritionists suggest that in order to prevent the formation of osteoporosis, all women during the childbearing period and after menopause should be given calcium supplements. In addition, these calcium supplements or preparations are indicated for women during pregnancy and lactation.

About the absorption of calcium by young children in the program of Dr. Komarovsky:

http://youtu.be/WMT6ObvmS6I

10 facts about calcium:

The first signs of calcium deficiency

Calcium deficiency can be detected by your own well-being almost immediately, since the lack of this important element very quickly affects the state of the nervous system of our body. How? If calcium is not enough, then we begin to feel unreasonable anxiety, irritability and tension appear in our behavior and actions, increased fatigue and emotional instability increasingly occur, depressive mood begins to predominate, etc. "increasingly".

In addition to problems with the nervous system, signs of a lack of calcium in our body are symptoms such as:

reduced skin elasticity;
fragility of hair and nails;
thinning of tooth enamel, the appearance of caries;
limbs often “numb” and convulsions appear.

And these are only the very first and most noticeable symptoms of calcium deficiency in our body. If you do not respond to them in time, the situation can become uncontrollable and lead to serious illnesses.

It is especially important not to start a situation of calcium deficiency in children, as the consequences can be terrible: scoliosis, rickets, flat feet and other diseases.

Lack of calcium in the body: the severity of the situation

In order to understand the complexity of the situation of calcium deficiency, let's first consider the "circulation" of calcium in the human body.

So, this necessary element enters our body with food (if no additional supplements are used). After that, it is absorbed in the intestines. Calcium metabolism takes place in the bones. After the completion of the metabolic process, the kidneys remove it from the body. With a normal balance of calcium in the blood, its level is 2.15-2.5 mmol / l.

Calcium metabolism occurs in bone tissue. There are two types of cells in bone tissue:

osteoclasts - build bones.
osteoblasts - break down bones.

The role of osteoblasts is not to completely "destroy" our skeleton, but to ensure that there is a constant renewal of bone tissue, which is done by osteoclasts.

This is where the danger lies: with age, the rate of bone tissue regeneration decreases, and the destruction processes accelerate. With a lack of calcium in the body, this leads to what? That's right, to the weakening of the bones (so, according to the latest medical data, women over the age of 50 annually lose up to 1 kg of bone tissue).

And if you do not help the body to keep the calcium balance at the required level, then very soon you can begin to notice all those signs of calcium deficiency that we talked about earlier.

Calcium deficiency in the body: how to make up

It is better not to bring the situation to the point where medical intervention and expensive medications are required.

This statement also applies to the problem of calcium deficiency in the body (the symptoms and signs of such a deficiency are really very unpleasant, and the consequences are dangerous).

And to prevent this problem, you should pay attention to balanced vitamin complexes that would help your body not lack the micro and macro elements it needs.

We recommend that you regularly use Tianshi Biocalcium, a high-quality biologically active food supplement containing not only easily digestible calcium (stabilized ionic form (absorption up to 95%), see information about the benefits of Tianshi calcium and its awards from the UN and other organizations), but and also a good "vitamin ammunition" - vitamins A, D, C.

Why is it necessary to take Tianshi Calcium?

Regular inclusion of Tianshi calcium powder in your diet will help you avoid calcium deficiency and prevent any problems with bones, joints, tooth enamel, etc.:

Together with dietary supplement Biocalcium Tienshi, your body receives all the micro and macro elements it needs in a form that simplifies the process of their assimilation as much as possible. You can buy Tianshi Calcium in our health food store.
The use of dietary supplements Biocalcium Tianshi is reliable and safe. Tianshi calcium was awarded the UN Health Prize (for the development of a stabilized ionic form of calcium, which is not deposited, but is almost 100% absorbed by the body).
All drugs that you can buy in the Tianshi store have all the necessary certificates and permits.

Lack of calcium in the body. Symptoms. signs

A sign of calcium deficiency is increased nervous excitability, insomnia, irritability. A person experiences nervous anxiety, mood worsens.
As one of the symptoms indicating a lack of calcium is cramps in the calf muscles, tingling in the arms and legs, nervous tics.
Also, there are pains in the joints, soreness of the gums, the tolerance of pain by our body worsens.
Abundant menstruation, as a sign of calcium deficiency.
Often, a lack of calcium in the body indicates a rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure.
Fragility of nails, hair loss, problems with teeth, as one of the symptoms of calcium deficiency.
When our body needs calcium, we really want chalk. I experienced this feeling in the last months of pregnancy. I didn’t have chalk in my house, but I bought calcium tablets at the pharmacy and just “nibbled” them. That's my need for calcium. But, just like that, the feeling when I want chalk never occurred to me again.

Calcium deficiency has a very negative effect on the functioning of our body. Therefore, this is worth paying attention to.

Why does calcium deficiency occur in the body

A lack of vitamin D in the body leads to calcium deficiency, for example, when eating only plant foods.

In women, calcium levels may decrease a week before menstruation and continue to decrease during menstruation.

A lack of calcium may be due to a decrease in its absorption in the intestines. Here, for example, with a lack of lactose enzyme in the intestine. Which can lead to intolerance to milk - as the main source of calcium for the body.

Lack of calcium in the body. Treatment

Calcium is well absorbed by our body from dairy products. This is facilitated by milk sugar - lactose, which is found in dairy products and directly in milk. In our body, lactose is converted into lactic acid by intestinal bacteria. By the way, sour-milk products contain "good" intestinal bacteria, which are necessary for our intestines for the normal functioning of the body.

If there is a need for calcium in the body, then first of all you need to review your diet and add those foods that contain calcium.

Calcium is found in cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, eggs, cod liver, salmon, halibut, sardines, peas, oatmeal, beans. Calcium-rich nuts such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts. By the way, you can make an excellent vitamin mixture from nuts.

Of course, many foods contain calcium, but the important point is that there are some points that prevent calcium absorption.

Fat has the ability to react with calcium and, as a result, calcium is not absorbed in sufficient quantities by our body. It should also be remembered that during the heat treatment of products, the amount of calcium in the products decreases.

If there is a lack of calcium in the body, you should not get carried away with coffee, as it washes calcium out of our body. Read more about coffee in this article. The same applies to tea, if consumed in large quantities.

The rapid removal of calcium from our body is facilitated by carbonated drinks, foods that contain oxalic acid, and an insufficient amount of protein. But lactose, lactic acid, on the contrary, contribute to the absorption of calcium.

I bring to your attention a table of products that contain the most calcium per 100 grams of product.

So, in order to compensate for calcium deficiency in the body, a balanced diet is needed, include foods containing calcium in the diet, as well as auxiliary substances that promote the absorption of calcium - vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus ...

If you have noticed symptoms that indicate you have a lack of calcium in the body, then it is advisable to consult a doctor so that the doctor prescribes calcium supplements. It is better to consult a specialist so as not to self-medicate, because a lack of calcium, like an excess, is dangerous to health.

Signs of excess calcium include: weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, thirst. An excess of calcium can occur when taking large doses of calcium supplements with vitamin D. If the level of calcium in the blood is higher than normal, then this threatens to deposit calcium on the internal organs, muscles and blood vessels.

But in order to make up for the lack of calcium in infants, the diet should be observed by a nursing mother, as well as calcium supplements, under the supervision of a doctor.

Most of all, children, pregnant women and the elderly suffer from a lack of calcium in the body. But, fortunately, this problem is solvable.

A lack of calcium is very dangerous for children, as the formation of teeth and bones is disrupted, because the normal growth and development of the child's body is possible only in sufficient intake of calcium in the diet. Lack of calcium entails nervous disorders, convulsions, poor blood clotting. If you are interested in the topic of raising the level of calcium in your body, you can read the article “Calcium in food. The role of calcium in the body.

A lack of calcium in the human body is very dangerous, both for children and adults, with signs indicating a lack of calcium, you should immediately take action and start treatment. Be healthy.

Lack of calcium in the body: symptoms

With a lack of calcium, hundreds of different ailments appear: neurological, kidney disease, nervous disorders, cardiovascular diseases. The very first signs of calcium deficiency: teeth begin to hurt, bones hurt, bones become brittle, nails exfoliate and break, hair becomes brittle and falls out. Also, a person begins to get tired quickly, becomes very nervous, worried and irritable.

Calcium deficiency in a child

It is very dangerous when a lack of calcium can appear in children. When a child has enough calcium, he grows and develops properly. When calcium is deficient in the body of toddlers, it can lead to dreadful diseases like multiple sclerosis. With a lack of calcium, defects in the dental tissue, abnormal bone development, and daily cramps appear. When the blood does not clot well, it is an indicator that there is a huge deficiency of calcium in the body. All this can lead to serious problems.

Replenish the lack of calcium in the body

It is necessary to control and carefully monitor that calcium is normally absorbed. To do this, you should abandon all carbonated drinks, they very strongly remove calcium from the body.
Children need to reduce the dose of chocolate, limit foods high in fiber. All this greatly interferes with the well-absorbed calcium, which can lead to its lack in the body.
To normalize calcium, a developed correct diet is required. In the composition of which all products with the maximum content of calcium are given the first place. It is necessary to exclude food from the diet that helps calcium to be quickly excreted from the body.
If you find an insufficient amount of calcium, immediately consult a doctor. With a full examination, it will help to identify the cause of the deficiency. He will select the necessary medicines and help to make the right diet, which will help eliminate the problem and normalize the amount of calcium in the body.

The consequences of a lack of calcium in the body of a bird

Hypocalcemia in adults is a serious problem associated with infertility. There is so little calcium in the body of a bird that it cannot normally lay an egg, this is due to the lack of a shell. Some females with such a disease lay eggs, but they are so fragile that it is almost impossible to hatch a healthy chick on them.

It is possible to build up an egg in the oviduct, this problem is very common in practice. There are a lot of reasons for its formation, but most likely this is due to a lack of calcium, which prevents the muscles from contracting as expected. To help the bird, you need to warm it up and give it as much liquid as possible. It is recommended to lubricate the anus. Most often, the veterinarian in this situation prescribes calcium, this is a more effective and efficient way.

For bearing females, the presence of calcium in the diet is mandatory. If it does not come in the right amount with food, its deficiency will be taken from the bones. And this is fraught with their weakening and even the occurrence of fractures. Calcium deficiency symptoms are not always pronounced, but if the bird carries eggs with a weak shell, then you should think about it.

Calcium deficiency in birds: consequences

It should be understood that even if the mother managed to form, and then lay and hatch the egg, the problems do not end there. Lack of calcium will definitely affect the offspring. The born chick will be very weak, with brittle bones. Unlike healthy peers, there will be a noticeable decrease in body weight and the development of rickets.

Violation of mineral metabolism at the genetic level is not treatable. Rickets is common in birds raised in captivity. It is pointless to normalize the lack of calcium with the help of special nutritional mixtures, the bones will still form incorrectly. The only way to try to change it is to resort to the help of an experienced surgeon who will break them and make them grow back in a new way. However, the success of the activities carried out does not guarantee a 100% successful result.

A lack of calcium in the blood can also lead to weakness in the legs, the bird will not be able to move around the cage, and loss of coordination will also be noticeable. Cases of epileptic seizures have been reported. Signs of calcium deficiency are difficult to notice, especially at an early stage. Therefore, it is necessary to form the diet of poultry so that the food always contains the appropriate minerals and supplements.

Why calcium deficiency occurs

The main reason for the lack of potassium is the malnutrition of the parrot. Essential foods are not included in his diet (broccoli, cabbage, milk, cheese, spinach), or foods are supplied, but in insufficient quantities. Many owners simply do not know what foods a pet needs and usually get by with the usual seeds.

The use of various calcium supplements is also popular. But few people know that in order to achieve the effect they must be consumed in full, which very rarely happens. Usually the powder just falls to the bottom and does not enter the pet's body at all.

The bird does not receive a sufficient daily amount of a useful mineral, and the owner does not notice this at all. Therefore, it would be more rational to use special oils and liquid solutions with calcium. They are added to water or injected into the body of parrots with a pipette.

Every breeder needs to understand how important calcium is to the overall development of his birds. Hypocalcemia is a serious disease, it is easy and simple to get it. The lack of calcium in the body will certainly affect the health of the offspring. Responsibility for the health of the feathered and its future offspring lies entirely with its owner.

A well-formed diet will avoid many problems. The lack of calcium in the body of a bird should be closely monitored by breeders who offer exotic parrots (cockatoos, macaws, finches) for sale.

Magnesium deficiency symptoms

The brightest: convulsions, muscle twitches, irritability, anxiety, palpitations.
Others: deterioration of hair, nails, increased sensitivity to noise, stomach cramps, migraines.

What is magnesium for?

Participates in all types of metabolism.
Supports the cardiovascular system.
Participates in more than 300 enzymatic reactions.
Helps to absorb vitamins C, B1, B6.
Improves the condition of the skeletal system. With a deficiency of Mg, Ca will also be lost.
Together with vitamin B6, it prevents the formation of kidney stones.
Improves intestinal peristalsis and bile secretion, which contributes to good digestion, lowering cholesterol.
Stabilizes the nervous and muscular systems.
Improves concentration, speed of thinking

Most often, this mineral is prescribed as an anti-stress, relaxing agent, or for diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

How much magnesium is in the body?

Answer: 20-30 g

At the same time, 53% in the skeletal system. Muscles, heart, liver, kidneys - about 20%, the rest falls on the endocrine glands, a small part falls on the blood.

Mg is excreted in the urine.

How much magnesium do you need per day?

Children 1-3 years old - 100-150 mg;
Children 7-12 years old - 200-300 mg;
Boys about 450 mg, girls about 350 mg (13-15 years old);
Men - 350-500 mg;
Women - 300-500 mg;
Lactating and pregnant women about 450 mg, while calcium needs twice as much .;

Excess, unlike deficiency, is extremely rare, with intravenous administration and poor kidney function. In exceptional cases, against the background of uncontrolled intake of Mg-containing drugs.

The body's need for magnesium increases in the following conditions:

Stress, nervous exhaustion, depression;
Insomnia;
Vegetative-vascular dystonia;
Great physical activity;
low calcium levels (osteoporosis);
Diseases of the cardiovascular system: arterial hypertension, post-infarction condition, etc.;
Chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, etc.);
Excessive consumption of coffee, alcohol, smoking;
Taking certain medications: diuretics, antibiotics, estrogen-containing contraceptives, ephedrine (adrenaline), aminophylline, caffeine, etc .;
A large number of refined and fatty foods in the diet: white bread, confectionery, noodles, fried foods, etc.;

Where to get magnesium

Regulates magnesium metabolism solar vitamin D (as well as calcium absorption). Vitamins D, B6 are simply necessary for the absorption of Mg.

Vitamin E and potassium also improve absorption.

Ca and Mg are absorbed (absorbed) in the small intestine, while being competitive.

Therefore, it is still better to separate their intake in time, if it is an additive, and not a food product. While Ca constricts blood vessels, stimulates muscle contraction, Mg, on the contrary, relaxes muscles and dilates blood vessels.

Modern technologies of their overprocessing and the use of chemicals in agriculture lead to a decrease in Mg in food products.

In plants, Mg is part of chlorophyll, just as it is part of bones in humans. Therefore, the main sources of Mg are vegetable.

Best sources of Mg (mg, per 100g of product):

pumpkin seeds (534);
Mac (442);
Flaxseed (392);
Chia (390);
Legumes: cocoa beans (440), beans (159.7), soybeans (249.7), peas (128), peanuts (185);
Nuts: almonds (152), walnuts (134), hazelnuts (140);
Seaweed (170);
Cereals: buckwheat (217), oats (145), germinated wheat (239), cereal bran.;
Greens and vegetables, bananas, apricots, cabbage, lentils, eggs, basil, coriander, mustard contain a lot of magnesium.

With prolonged processing of the product, magnesium is lost.

Up to 50% of the incoming Mg is absorbed with food. The percentage depends on whether the intestines are in good condition and on lifestyle.

For example, to get a daily requirement of 300 mg of magnesium, you need to eat (provided that 50% is absorbed):

120g dried pumpkin seeds (644mg total magnesium, 50% = 322mg absorbed magnesium)
250 g of germinated wheat or buckwheat;
15 bananas;
150 g of ground flaxseed;
700 g boiled black beans;
150 g (cup) chia seeds;

An example menu for getting 300 mg of magnesium:

Smoothie: banana + 2 tbsp. ground flaxseed and 1 tbsp. ground poppy seeds (200 mg Mg)

1.5 cups (260 g) cooked red beans (111 mg Mg)

70g Oatmeal + Smoothie (96mg Mg + 200mg Mg)

Total 610 mg of magnesium, 50% = 305 mg.

Supplements with Mg

It is advisable to take with a deficiency of this trace element in the daily diet, or an increased need for Mg, after consulting a doctor.

What magnesium should be used, in what form is it better absorbed?

Until now, the best magnesium formula has not been identified, no matter what various sources claim, the information in which is very contradictory.

Sulfate and carbonate are absorbed worst of all - most agree on this.

Compounds with amino acids (chelates, glycinates) and with organic acids (citrates) are well absorbed.

Bioavailability refers to how easily a supplement is absorbed by the body.

It is widely publicized and everyone knows that inorganic forms are absorbed very poorly, i.e. they have low bioavailability. However, research does not always support this.

Inorganic forms: sulfate, chloride, oxide.
Organic: aspartate, ascorbate, glycinate, gluconate, salicylate, orotate, citrate, lactate.

Gluconate - 5.8%;
Chloride - 12%;
Citrate - 16.2%;
Glycinate - 50%;
Oxide 60.3% (From 100 mg of magnesium oxide Mg itself, 60.3 mg will come out);

Some forms can slightly weaken predisposed people: oxide, sulfate, citrate. To avoid this effect, you can take Mg with food.

Oxide, carbonate - antacids, substances that lower the acidity of the stomach. This can disrupt digestion in people with insufficiently acidic stomach juices, causing stomach heaviness and poor absorption. Citrate, on the contrary, will increase, which should not be allowed to people with gastritis of high acidity.

Research examples:

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology MMA them. Sechenov, a study was conducted on the effect of therapy, including the intake of magnesium + B6 according to the instructions for the drug, on miscarriage. The result a month later was a decrease in fetal loss by 1.8 times. .

At the beginning of the XXI century. A study was conducted, the results of which showed that 30% of the inhabitants of Russia daily receive less than 70% of the required amount of Mg and iron.

In 2005, an experiment was conducted on rats that were given one of the Mg compounds: oxide, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, acetate, pidolate, gluconate, citrate, lactate, or aspartate, in an amount of 550 mg/kg of body weight. Prior to the study, rats were kept on a Mg-deficient diet (150 mg/kg) for three weeks. Six weeks after ingestion, they were euthanized and the Mg content of erythrocytes, plasma, and bone was measured by mass spectrometry. The content of the mineral did not differ significantly; gluconate showed itself somewhat better. When studying the excretion of Mg with faeces and urine, inorganic compounds lagged slightly behind organic ones. Oxide (48.4%) and chloride (48.8%) were best absorbed, sulfate was the worst. Gluconate again became the best organic form - 56.8%.

In Israel, at the Medical Center. Chaim Shiba compared the ingestion of oxide and Mg citrate. 41 people without heart disease took part. During the month, half of the group took 295.8 mg of pure Mg from the drug Diasporal magnesium (citrate), the other - Magnox 520 (about 312 pure magnesium). Then followed a monthly break, and then the groups changed places, i.e. began to take a different form of magnesium. The concentrations of Mg in the blood serum and tissues, the ratio and amount of electrolytes in the serum, and platelet activity were measured. The participants also answered the questions of the questionnaire about the quality of life. The oxide showed significant results in the accumulation in tissues, lowered the level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and C-reactive protein. Platelet activity increased in both cases, in the remaining lab. in terms of citrate was inferior to oxide.

Strizhakov A.N., Ignatko I.V., Martirosyan N.T. Principles of complex therapy of threatening abortion in women with recurrent miscarriage. Issues of gynecology, obstetrics and perinatology. 2008. Volume 7. No. 2.
Orlova S.V. Chelate complexes in nutrition and dietetics, Moscow, 3rd edition, revised and enlarged, 2007, p. 72.
Coudray C., Rambeau M., Feillet-Coudray C. et al. Study of magnesium bioavailability from ten organic and inorganic Mg salts in Mg-depleted rats using a stable isotope approach // Magnes Res. 2005. Vol.18(4). P. 215–223.
Shekhter M. Magnesium is a mineral for a healthy life.

"Mission" of calcium

Calcium is an alkaline earth metal. It has a high degree of biochemical activity. It refers to the basic elements of not only teeth, nails and bones, but also soft tissues. The clotting properties of blood and the correct balance of salts depend on it. And not without reason its normal weight in the body is almost one and a half kilograms.

A very important function of calcium is to ensure the contractility of muscle fibers and the transmission of nerve impulses. It has a stabilizing effect on nerve cells.

How does the body react to calcium deficiency?

It has been proven that approximately half of the calcium that comes from food is absorbed in the human body. After all, it enters the stomach in the form of insoluble salts, which are processed by gastric juice, then in the intestines by bile acids, which converts calcium into a type of digestible element.

If the body does not have enough vitamin D and magnesium, calcium will be extremely difficult to absorb. That is why hypocalcemia is the cause of many painful manifestations, including respiratory arrest during sleep.

Note!

Apnea occurs when signals from the brain center do not reach the respiratory muscles. They are inactive, respectively, breathing stops. One of the reasons for this condition is a lack of calcium in the muscle fibers, which leads to the inability of conduction.
Apnea also occurs when signals are received, but the air flow is interrupted, since the lumen of the airways is significantly narrowed. The soft tissues and muscles of the throat are greatly relaxed and subside significantly, which blocks the path of air. A common reason for this is muscle weakness due to calcium deficiency in the muscles.

Another common complaint of patients with sleep apnea is restless legs syndrome, when “goosebumps” crawl, tingling and heaviness are felt, and convulsions torment. All these symptoms are manifested by a lack of calcium in the body.

It is worth mentioning the age at which the risk of developing sleep apnea increases significantly. But it is during this period, that is, after 40 years, that hormonal changes occur and the level of calcium is rapidly falling.

How to deal with the problem?

If the results of the tests showed a low level of calcium in the blood of a patient with sleep apnea, then he needs to take urgent measures. What exactly needs to be done?

To make up for the deficiency of such an important trace element as calcium, and to cure sleep apnea, doctors recommend eating properly and balanced. You should eat dairy products, in particular cottage cheese, and eggs, herbs and fish, sesame and legumes. Lovers of coffee, salt, sugar should limit these foods in their diet, and eat meat exclusively with fiber.
A healthy lifestyle is very important. Walk outdoors more often, especially in the morning and evening on sunny days. Sign up for a sports section, go to the pool!
Do not forget about everyday, but moderate, physical activity.
CPAP therapy is also used.
Your doctor may prescribe calcium supplements. They are recommended to be taken at lunch and in the evening.

Calcium deficiency is a problem. But, you can deal with it! It is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. Elimination of calcium deficiency will relieve problems with respiratory arrest.

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Why does excess calcium develop?

Calcium enters the body from food, dietary supplements and drugs. For example, some medicines that are used in the treatment of stomach ulcers, radiation therapy, cause an increase in the amount of calcium salt in the blood. There are other reasons for the development of excess calcium:

failures in metabolic processes, with pathologies of the nervous system and impaired functioning of the thyroid gland;
an overdose of vitamin D;
failure in the hormonal system;
prolonged intake of calcium gluconate;
oncological diseases: cancer of the prostate, mammary glands or respiratory organs.

Who is most prone to developing an excess of calcium

Most often, an excess of calcium in the body occurs in women, the elderly and babies up to a year. Therefore, at the first manifestations of symptoms of excess calcium, especially in women and children, it is worth making an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible. The doctor will definitely prescribe tests that will show the cause of the high concentration of calcium in the body. As a rule, the occurrence of calcium in excess provokes not one factor, but several.

Symptoms in adults and children

Negative manifestations of hypercalcemia manifest themselves in different ways. Of particular importance are the root causes that caused the disease, age, as well as the severity of the disease and the degree of its neglect. The main symptoms that indicate an excess of calcium in the body are:

constipation;
bloating, flatulence, cramps and pain in the abdomen;
dry mouth;
nausea;
vomit;
digestive problems;
increased fatigue;
depression;
confusion, disorientation;
convulsions;
dehydration of the body;
disruption of the heart;
kidney failure.

An excess of calcium in children is manifested by similar symptoms. Also, children have: poor appetite, weight loss, absent-mindedness, hallucinations. In babies up to a year, as a rule, an excess of calcium is accompanied by the intake of vitamin D or endocrine pathology.

How to deal with excess calcium

Only a doctor should deal with the normalization of calcium in the body, as well as its excretion. Having determined the cause that caused this disorder, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment, adjust the patient's diet.

It is known that calcium is not synthesized, but enters the body with food and drugs. Therefore, for a while, a ban should be imposed on foods rich in calcium: sesame, hazelnuts, almonds, dairy products, halva, dark chocolate, sardines in oil, rice, wheat bread.

The patient is prescribed the introduction of diuretics and loop diuretics (Furosemide) into the body. Thanks to this drug, excess calcium is excreted from the body with urine.

If traditional treatment methods do not bring positive results, then the patient is prescribed hormonal medications: corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, calcitonin. These drugs inhibit the release of calcium from the skeletal system.

Surgical intervention occurs only if a patient is diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism (a disease of the endocrine system characterized by a violation of calcium metabolism). The operation is to remove the parathyroid glands. Such therapy is quite effective and in 90% of cases eliminates excess calcium in the human body.

What happens if you do not treat an excess of calcium in the body

If you ignore the clinical manifestations of excess calcium in the body, then over time the symptoms will progress. The use of calcium above the daily norm (1 g for an adult and 600 mg for preschoolers) entails serious consequences. The risk of death from a number of diseases, including the cardiovascular system, increases significantly. In addition, an increase in the level of calcium in the body provokes the formation of kidney stones, the deposition of the mineral on the walls of the arteries, and the occurrence of prostate cancer.

Prevention

To avoid an excess of calcium, you need to follow certain rules:

consume dairy products in moderation;
do not exceed the daily intake of the trace element;
review your diet, make it balanced;
if the doctor has prescribed means to increase the level of calcium, then the prescribed dosage and course of treatment must be strictly observed;
Vitamin D should be taken only as directed by a doctor;
monitor your health, pay attention to body alerts.

Calcium contributes to the coordinated work of internal organs. If its amount in the body decreases, then various pathological changes occur. However, an excess of this mineral leads to more serious consequences, so its use should be controlled and not exceed the daily dosage.

Methods for restoring calcium deficiency

In pharmacies, there are many medicines with which you can replenish the balance of calcium. The only thing is that it is undesirable to self-medicate without consulting a specialist. The dosage, frequency of administration and type of drug can only be selected by a doctor. Oversaturation with this mineral substance threatens the patient with bad consequences.

A number of products are used to restore calcium balance naturally. If you use them daily, then the condition is normalized.

Hard Dutch cheese. It harmonizes perfectly with coffee. For the daily intake of calcium, it is enough to eat one hundred grams of the product.
Sesame is also rich in mineral content. It is enough to eat one hundred grams of seeds a day and you will not feel a lack of calcium.
Dairy products have long been famous for their beneficial properties. These products also contain the mineral Ca, which is necessary for the body.

Parsley, celery, cabbage will bring great benefits and normalize calcium balance.

To replenish the body with vitamin D, you need to eat seafood. Without this vitamin, calcium is not fully absorbed.

Despite the fact that coffee leaches minerals from the body, the main threat of calcium loss does not come from it. If you drink a drink in small quantities, then the balance of the substance will not be disturbed.

What is the danger of calcium loss?

Due to the imbalance of the mineral, malfunctions of the cardiovascular system occur, the functionality of muscle tissue and nerve endings is disrupted. With an imbalance of the substance, diseases of the musculoskeletal system develop, the condition of the teeth and bones worsens. Because of this, there may be fractures.

It has been established that the older a person is, the more he loses calcium over the years. Also, the loss of the mineral occurs due to the use of certain foods and drinks. Many are interested in the question of whether coffee washes calcium out of the body. Yes - caffeine promotes mineral loss.

The first symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body

If you experience pain in the bone tissue, then this is the first sign of a lack of a component. With such symptoms, you should already go to the doctor so as not to aggravate the state of health.
Myoclonic spasms of muscle fibers, especially at night, indicate a lack of a mineral in the body.
Poor condition of teeth and nails is usually the result of calcium imbalance.

In addition to unpleasant moments, the lack of an element at the initial stage does not pose a serious danger. The main thing is to listen to the sensations in time, to start acting. Moreover, it will not be difficult to fill the deficit. It is enough to start using foods, dosage forms rich in this mineral. Strictly under the supervision of a specialist doctor to prevent hypercalcemia.

An excess of calcium - hypercalcemia negatively affects the condition of people, loss of appetite occurs, pain occurs in the lower abdominal cavity, and the work of the heart muscle is disrupted.

The effect of caffeine on bone tissue

Now many young people are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. They are interested in the benefits and harms of the food and drinks they consume. Coffee lovers are no exception, because espresso is present in their daily diet. It is interesting to know how coffee affects a person, what negative characteristics it has. One of them is the ability to flush out calcium in the body.

The fact that caffeine leaches calcium from bones has been proven empirically. The substance has this ability due to its properties, namely:

Caffeine has a strong diuretic effect. In the process, a person loses a lot of fluid, and along with water, mineral components, including calcium.
The main component contained in coffee beans affects the hormonal background. It enhances the effect on the body of adrenaline, histamine. Those, in turn, increase the excretion of calcium.
Strong espresso with a sour taste affects the acid-base balance inside the body. Calcium, on the other hand, normalizes the balance, neutralizes the effects of caffeine, due to which the mineral content decreases in the tissues.

Therefore, drinking a lot of strong coffee is harmful, the daily intake of a drink is no more than three cups.

Drinking one cup of rich espresso from robusta beans, you lose six milligrams of calcium.

What foods replenish calcium in the human body. How to make up for calcium deficiency in the body - foods and drinks that will help. Magnesium deficiency symptoms

anxiety symptoms

But that's not all

What is the essence of the problem?

List of useful

FAQ

Why do we need calcium?

ICD-10 code

Causes of calcium deficiency

Risk factors

Pathogenesis

Symptoms of calcium deficiency

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body in women

Symptoms and causes of calcium deficiency in the body in men

Lack of calcium in the child's body

Complications and consequences

Diagnosis of calcium deficiency

Differential Diagnosis

Treatment of calcium deficiency

Homeopathy

calcium around us

The amount of calcium in the body

Reasons for the development of calcium deficiency

Behavioral and external causes

Diseases, pathological conditions

Metabolic disorders

Other reasons

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body

Diagnosis of hypocalcemia

Treatment - how to compensate for the lack of calcium

Calcium preparations

Popular drugs

Calcium carbonate and Magnesium carbonate

Calcium chloride

Calcium carbonate + Colecalciferol

Calcemin Advance

Marine calcium

Eggshell from lack of calcium in the body

Calcium for the elderly - myths and reality

Prevention of hypocalcemia

Foods containing calcium

Some features related to the absorption of calcium

What foods contain calcium - table (amount of calcium - mg per 100 g of product)

Dairy products

Meat fish

Vegetables, fruits, nuts

Grocery

Bakery products

Juices, drinks

six steps

Norm or deficit?

Symptoms

Diagnostics

diet therapy

Drug treatment

Prevention

Lack of calcium in the body: the severity of the situation

Calcium deficiency in the body: how to make up

Why is it necessary to take Tianshi Calcium?

Lack of calcium in the body. Symptoms. signs

Why does calcium deficiency occur in the body

Lack of calcium in the body. Treatment

Lack of calcium in the body: symptoms

Calcium deficiency in a child

Replenish the lack of calcium in the body

The consequences of a lack of calcium in the body of a bird

Calcium deficiency in birds: consequences

Why calcium deficiency occurs

Magnesium deficiency symptoms

How much magnesium is in the body?

Where to get magnesium

Best sources of Mg (mg, per 100g of product):

Supplements with Mg

What magnesium should be used, in what form is it better absorbed?

"Mission" of calcium

How does the body react to calcium deficiency?

How to deal with the problem?

You may be interested

Why does excess calcium develop?

Who is most prone to developing an excess of calcium