Bone and joint pain, sudden muscle cramps, constant fatigue, does it sound familiar? Have you experienced these symptoms before?

Of course, commonly these symptoms might just be a feedback from our bodies towards the daily effort and difficulties that we do not rest enough after, but in today's article, these symptoms may indicate the presence of a problem that begins silently until it quickly progresses showing its consequences, Calcium deficiency.

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients that the body needs to build and support healthy bones and teeth, and helps in muscle contraction and relaxation, in addition to maintaining heart health as it is originally a muscle. Its role is not limited to that only; it also contributes to sending nerve signals both ways between the brain and the different body organs to regulate its vital processes. so calcium deficiency can lead to the emergence of signs and symptoms whose intensity varies according to the percentage of deficiency and the affected organ.

How does calcium deficiency negatively affect our bodies?

This is what we will talk about in this article: -

1) Calcium deficiency.

2) Physical and psychological signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency.

3) Causes of calcium deficiency.

4) Calcium deficiency complications.

5) Daily requirements of calcium.

6) Treatment of calcium deficiency.

7) Tips for preventing calcium deficiency.

1. What is calcium deficiency?

Calcium deficiency is a common issue that may occur due to several reasons, including genetics, poor diet, hormonal changes, use of certain medications, and many other reasons. The lack of calcium in the body leads to the exposure to many diseases, the most famous of which are Osteoporosis in adults and Rickets in children. These problems usually begin to appear clearly, when the blood calcium level reaches less than 8.8 mg / dL.

1. Physical and psychological signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency:

As we mentioned earlier that calcium interferes with most physiological processes in the body, so the effect of its deficiency may appear on most of the body's organs, in the form of:

• General muscle weakness.
• Fatigue and exhaustion.
• Abdominal pain.
• Low blood pressure.
• Bone pain resting and walking.
• Frequent bone fractures.
• Softening of the bones and bowing of the legs in children.
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing.
• Weak yellow-colored teeth.
• Nail fragility and appearance of white spots. 
• Sudden muscle cramps.
• Palpitations and a rapid heartbeat.
• Dry skin and itchiness.
• Internal swelling of the eye.

Calcium deficiency can also affect a person's psychological state and lead to:

• Mood swings.
• Constant feeling of nervousness and confusion.
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping.
• Extreme fear.
• Depression.
• Severe hallucinations.
• Increased forgetfulness.
• Poor concentration in children.
• Memory loss in old age.

1. Causes of calcium deficiency:

There are many reasons that lead to a decrease in the level of calcium in the body, and these reasons include the following:

• Malnutrition

An unhealthy lifestyle leads to the lack of calcium and its stores in the body, despite eating good amounts of food, most of them are processed and lack calcium, vitamins and minerals necessary for the body to function efficiently.
 

• Medications

 Some medications can cause a decrease in calcium blood levels and reduce calcium stores in the body by making it difficult for the body to absorb calcium from food and by excreting it in urine. These medicines include:

• Diuretics.
• Some Antibiotics.
• Epilepsy drugs.
• Heartburn medications.

• Hypoparathyroidism

A decrease in the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or a decrease in its activity, leads to a decrease in the levels of calcium in the blood and an increase in the levels of phosphorous.

• Impaired kidney and liver function

Any impairment in their functions lead to a vitamin D deficiency, which is responsible for the absorption of calcium in the body, leading to its deficiency.

• Genetic and hereditary factors

Such as those associated with insufficient functioning of the exocrine and endocrine glands in the body (thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, pituitary gland).

• Hormonal changes

Any increase in the level of estrogen in blood is often associated with an imbalance in the calcium levels, due to the inability to absorb and deposit it in the bones, which makes women more likely to suffer from calcium deficiency and fractures, whether during pregnancy, or while using estrogen-containing contraceptives, or even after menopause.

• Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium is needed to stimulate parathyroid hormone production, so when magnesium is low, insufficient parathyroid hormone is produced and blood calcium level decreases.

• Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is the one responsible for calcium absorption in the body. 

• Vitamin K2 deficiency

As it works after calcium’s absorption for its deposition in the bones and for the prevention of its deposition in the blood vessels to prevent fractures and atherosclerosis. 
 

2. Calcium deficiency complications:

The progression of the disease without any therapeutic intervention for long periods may expose a person to developing serious life-long complications, such as:

• Osteoporosis.
• Difficulty walking.
• Fractures of the bones and spine.
• Convulsive seizures.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Kidney stones.
• Cataracts
• Eczema.

If this issue remained untreated for a longer time, this may to death. 
 

3. Daily requirements of calcium: 

The body's daily need for calcium varies according to gender and age, and research has determined that children and women are the groups more in need of calcium than men are. Their daily need for calcium is as follows:

• Women

A woman's body needs large quantities of calcium, especially during pregnancy and lactation, in order to compensate the mother for the consumed amount during that period, and studies have shown that the body needs from 1000 mg to 1200 mg / day.

Men

The greater need for them appears with age, so men need calcium at a rate of 1000 mg / day in youth and adolescence, but with age the daily requirement increases to reach 1200 mg / day in the elderly.

Children

Children are among the groups most in need of calcium throughout childhood, because it is one of the basic elements necessary for healthy and normal growth of bones, muscles and teeth, and the specific dose for the child varies according to the child's age:
 

6. Treatment of calcium deficiency:

Despite the severity of the symptoms and complications, the treatment is simple. It lies in paying attention to proper nutrition and diversifying food sources rich in calcium, such as:

• Milk, cheese and other dairy products.
• Leafy greens (cabbage, okra, and spinach).
• Legumes (lentils and beans).
• Nuts (almonds and walnuts)
• Fruits (figs).
• Seeds (chia seeds, sesame seeds).
• Fish (sardines and salmon).
• Bakery.
• Eggs.
   

This is in addition to taking a nutritional supplement that contains the appropriate dose of calcium and other minerals that work to strengthen bones and raise the level of calcium in the blood, and the best of these supplements:

Matrix

Matrix is ​​the best supplement with an integrated formula for the treatment and prevention of calcium deficiency problems and complications:

• It strengthens the bones, and works to restore their mass and density.
• It works to prevent osteoporosis in adults.
• It maintains calcium levels during pregnancy, lactation, and menopause.
• It treats and protects against joint pain and muscle spasms.
   

Why is Matrix the best choice for treating calcium deficiency?

• It contains 11 of the best and most important vitamins and minerals that work together effectively to make full use of calcium.
• The absorption rate of calcium and the whole formula is up to 95%.
• The capsules is small and easy to swallow.
• It is palatable.
• It has no side effects.
• Safe during pregnancy and lactation.

7. Tips for preventing calcium deficiency:

• Depending on calcium-rich foods for breakfast.
• Increasing the exposure to the sun, 30 minutes daily before noon.
• Eating dairy products on a daily basis.
• Making sure to eat green, leafy vegetables every day with every meal.
• Eating more fish that are rich in calcium and omega-3.
• Snacking on calcium-rich nuts.
• Limiting your intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol.
• Sprinkling sesame seeds or chia seeds on salads.
• Taking one capsules of Matrix daily.

*This article was written by an integrated medical team affiliated with Devart Lab, the leading company in the field of Nutraceuticals in Egypt and the Middle East (Nutrigenomics and Food Fortification), by providing nutrients that are fortified with minerals and vitamins that the body needs on a daily basis to obtain effective results in the least possible time. By using the latest pharmaceutical technologies that ensure full absorption without any side effects.