One of the most important minerals for the human body is calcium. It belongs to the group of macroelements, that is, they provide energy, but do not necessarily nourish cells.
As a macronutrient
At the same time, the concentration of the substance in the blood is stable, and the bone tissue serves as a kind of depot from which calcium, if necessary, is transported into the blood.
Significance for the body
The role of this macronutrient in meeting the needs of the human body is difficult to overestimate. It is the basis of the skeleton and bones, forming healthy teeth and bones.
Takes part in metabolic processes, stabilizes water-salt balance.
Calcium is needed for muscles as a regulator of contractile function and hormone secretion. This is true not only for skeletal muscles, but also for cardiac muscles.
Its role is important in the process of blood clotting and reducing vascular permeability. Providing an anti-inflammatory effect, it activates certain types of enzymes, takes part in the process of hormone synthesis, strengthening the immune system.
With its participation in the production of enzymes that influence digestive processes, the salivary glands are activated.
Reasons for the surplus
An excess of calcium in the body is likely in the presence of a number of malfunctions in the functioning of systems, as well as organs, when there is an excess of calcium in the blood. This usually happens in pregnant women and older people. In people who have good health, similar situations are not observed. Because the body is characterized by self-regulation of the arrival and consumption of this substance. For development similar condition a number of factors are required.
Hormonal imbalance
Responsible for hormones endocrine system. They perform three important functions and provide:
- the possibility of physical, mental and sexual development;
- adaptation of the human body to a changing environment;
- maintaining homeostasis.
In particular, maintaining a stable amount of this substance three hormones are involved.
If parathyroid glands parathyroid hormone is produced in excess, this leads to an increase in its level in the bloodstream.
Genetic diseases
Familial hypercalcemia is a very rare disease that is inherited. Its cause is a deactivating mutation of receptor genes, in which the negative gene dominates the normal one. The receptors recommended by the altered gene bind this element poorly.
Therefore, the optimal concentration of the substance is perceived as reduced. As a result, excessive production of parathyroid hormone by the thyroid glands occurs and the substance is reabsorbed from the urine.
Other reasons for its excess include genetic diseases: endocrine neoplasia, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis.
Excess Vitamin D
The main function of this vitamin is to participate in and ensure calcium metabolism. When it is in excess, the concentration of the substance in the bloodstream increases.
Similar situations are very common in infants. The reason for this is the excessive anxiety of parents giving their children higher doses vitamins The specificity of a child’s body is characterized by poor processing and absorption of this substance, which leads to its accumulation in the bloodstream.
Medicines provocateurs
Unregulated intake of calcium gluconate during pregnancy is harmful
Too much calcium is possible when calcium gluconate is taken unregulated. Very often, women take calcium gluconate during pregnancy in excessive quantities, because the mother’s body is not able to provide sufficient quantity micro- and macroelements of two organisms at the same time. However, an immense passion for calcium gluconate can harm both the mother and the unborn child.
Medicines prescribed for peptic ulcers radiation therapy, can also lead to excess calcium salt.
Food products
An overdose of calcium is possible with prolonged and unbalanced consumption of milk and its derivatives.
Another reason may be a fermented milk diet, leading to weight loss and accumulation of this element in tissues. As a result, the processes of its excretion by urine are disrupted.
Oncological diseases
By affecting some organs, these diseases disrupt their functioning. The excretory abilities of the kidneys are impaired, and the excess element accumulates in the tissues and bloodstream. Such diseases include prostate cancer, respiratory tract, mammary glands.
Manifestations of excess
If there is excess calcium in the body, the symptoms can be divided into internal and external manifestations. Visible manifestations are a consequence of internal changes.
Changes in internal functioning
Excessive calcium in the body is manifested by disruption of organ function, which is expressed in:
Visible manifestations
External symptoms of excess calcium in the body are as follows:
- persistent constipation and reluctance to eat;
- nausea and vomiting;
- disruption of the digestive process;
- causeless fatigue accompanied by dizziness;
- imbalance;
- disruptions in cardiac activity;
- kidney failure in acute form.
Restoring balance
If there are all the signs of an excessive amount of this macronutrient, then the person is faced with the question of how to remove excess calcium from the body. However, it is important to know that only the attending physician should restore balance.
Home measures
At home for recovery normal concentration macronutrients must be excluded from daily diet products containing it. Among them:
- sesame and its oil;
- almonds and hazelnuts;
- sardine (canned);
- dairy and fermented milk products;
- dark chocolate;
- rice dishes;
- white bread.
There are products that remove it. Their list is not so long. Mostly drinks. Among them:
- coffee;
- strong tea;
- distilled water (do not take for more than 1-2 months);
- drink based oxalic acid.
Supplying the body with water effectively removes calcium from the body.
In stationary conditions
IN therapeutic therapy Intravenous fluid administration is practiced. This procedure is indicated if its level is more than 3.7 mmol/l.
During therapy, diuretics (furosemide, etc.) are prescribed. Good results indicates dialysis in case of severe disease.
In addition, they are appointed hormonal drugs. Among them are corticosteroids medications, bisphosphonates, calcitonin. These drugs block the release of this trace element from bone tissue.
If, after determining the diagnosis, hyperparathyroidism was discovered, then an operation is often recommended, during which one or several of them are removed at once. thyroid glands. This method eliminates the symptoms of pathology in 90% of cases by removing its excess.
In the future
Fortunately, this substance does not have such toxicity that it could cause death. However, further consequences of overdose exist. Among them.
An overdose of any macro- or microelements in the body is much less common than their deficiency. Only a qualified doctor can find out the cause of this phenomenon and carry out all the necessary prescriptions. There is no point in solving this problem on your own.
Causes of excess calcium
Calcium - element periodic table and a very important macronutrient necessary for normal human life. Most Calcium (90%) is found in human bone tissue, the rest is in blood plasma. Chemical designation – Ca.
This element is one of the first received by a child at birth along with mother's milk. Obtaining Ca is necessary to maintain a stable working condition of the entire skeletal system. Some diuretic drugs provoke the leaching of calcium from the body, then the doctor prescribes special therapy to replenish this macroelement. Incorrect dosage or independent increase in the amount of calcium-containing drugs can lead to an overdose.
Most often, Ca deficiency is observed in children and the elderly, so incorrectly selected therapy can cause overdose symptoms in them, such as:
- hormonal changes (changes in hormonal levels);
- manifestation of hereditary diseases;
- malignant tumors;
- Vitamin D intoxication.
The most accurate result is provided by timely blood biochemistry.
The condition of calcium overdose is called hypercalcemia.
The absorption of Ca is closely related to vitamin D. Even the prescription of calcium-containing medications occurs as part of the intake of vitamins type D3. An excess of the latter leads to disturbances in the regulation and distribution of calcium in the system. In the process of calcium absorption, they play an important role parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
Parathyroid hormone is a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands endocrine glands, responsible for regulating the exchange between blood and bone tissue. Calciotonin is a hormone synthesized by the thyroid gland, whose action is directly opposite to its parathyroid “brother”.
The balance of these elements guarantees a stable level of the Ca element in the human body. Among other things, insulin, growth hormone, estrogens and triiodothyronine are additionally involved in the regulation process. An imbalance in any of them can provoke symptoms of Ca overdose or deficiency.
The reasons for exceeding calcium levels in the body may be a large amount of dairy products consumed or an overdose of drugs, for example, calcium gluconate. It is also worth noting that an excess of this macroelement manifests itself against the background of oncology of the lungs, prostate and mammary glands.
Overdose symptoms
The most common sign of calcium dysregulation in the body is constipation. Its long appearance leads to the development of flatulence, the appearance of spasmodic pain, peptic ulcer. High level calcium is the cause of development urolithiasis. An excess of this macroelement provokes deposits on the walls of blood vessels, which leads to the risk of heart attacks.
Recent research in this area has proven that high content calcium elements in the blood can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Calcium overdose manifests itself as follows:
- lack of appetite and constant xerostomia;
- nausea and vomiting;
- fatigue, fatigue and dizziness;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- weight loss;
- state of disorientation in space;
- depressive states;
- dehydration and severe headaches;
- convulsions;
- disturbances in the functioning of the heart and kidneys.
Removal of calcium from the body
The diagnosis of calcium overdose is made by the attending physician based on blood biochemistry analysis. He also prescribes the necessary therapeutic treatment.
The easiest way to remove excess Ca from the body is to frequent use pure distilled water. Having no macro- or microelements in its composition, when it enters the body, it perfectly dissolves both. The use of this type of liquid is relevant for no more than 2 months. In the future, it should be replaced with ordinary boiled water.
If the accumulation of the Ca element occurs as a result of consuming a large amount of calcium-containing foods, then the patient is prescribed a diet from which the following types products:
- milk, sour cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese and other dairy products;
- sesame and its derivative oil, as well as some types of nuts (hazelnuts, almonds);
- dark chocolate and halva;
- wheat bread.
Sorrel reduces Ca concentration well.
Calcium overdose through medicines is treated with gastric lavage and further administration of diuretics, for example, furosemide.
Calcium value
Calcium is one of the essential elements necessary during pregnancy and fetal development. Its deficiency can lead to complications during childbirth or future developmental problems for the baby. In addition, taking into account the “pulling” of Ca from the mother’s body, she simply needs it to maintain the normal condition of hair, nails and teeth.
During this period, doctors often make prescriptions in the form of:
- Calcium D3 Nycomed;
- Complivit calcium D3;
- Calcium gluconate in tablet form or injection.
All medications should be taken only under the supervision of a physician.
As for children's prescriptions, children are usually prescribed vitamin complexes or a diet is being developed with high content dairy products.
A lack of Ca in children can lead to crooked posture and teeth, impaired growth, and decreased muscle tone.
Prevention
Calcium overdose is quite rare. However, this does not mean that there is no possibility of encountering it. Improper use of medications or neglect of children can cause intoxication with this macronutrient. And although its consequences are not as severe as those of poisoning with other substances, this is still no reason to let down your vigilance. The simplest way To avoid increasing Ca levels in the body - strictly follow your doctor's instructions and eat a balanced diet.
If symptoms of intoxication appear, you should consult a doctor, and while waiting, carry out gastric lavage measures. It is also worth telling your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Calcium is an important chemical element necessary for the human body. The body of an adult contains approximately 2 kg of this element. It participates in the formation of the skeleton, helps blood clot, and also contributes water-salt balance And metabolic processes in the human body. An excess of calcium in the body causes certain symptoms, which we will study today.
Growing children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women especially need calcium. It is very important to maintain the balance of the element in the body. This mineral should not be in excess and should not be lacking.
Calcium is found in dairy products, nuts, grains and peas.
Excess calcium in the body
An excess of a mineral in the blood is possible not only because of its consumption above the permitted norm. Excess calcium appears in the body due to malfunction thyroid gland and the production of a special hormone. An increased element also appears in those people who have been diagnosed with tumors. Besides this possible reasons There may also be radiation therapy to the neck and shoulder area, and vitamin D poisoning. Excess calcium in the body is most often observed in older people and female half population.
Excess calcium in the body symptoms
If you experience constipation, pain in the lower abdomen, severe weakness, vomiting, convulsions and very extreme thirst, then such symptoms may indicate excess calcium. Severe dry mouth may also occur, very extreme fatigue and loss of orientation. If this element has long exceeded its norm, then this can have a detrimental effect on the state of the brain, which is extremely dangerous for human health. Increased concentration V female body leads to the failure of the kidneys, the muscles weaken, and pain appears in them. A malfunction in the functioning of these organs can lead to a malfunction in the entire body system, so it is important not to delay the symptoms that arise. This applies to women of all ages, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Scientists have proven that the state of water greatly affects the calcium content in the body. Hard water has a more saturated chemical composition, which can be dangerous if you use such water and calcium-containing foods and medications at the same time. Such water can increase the content of such a chemical element in the body.
How is the treatment carried out?
When the symptoms have already manifested themselves, you need to find out what caused the excess of this element. First of all, you need to apply for medical care and undergo appropriate tests, since such symptoms can occur during other diseases.
What removes calcium from the body
Calcium can be removed from the body through water; for this you need to drink a lot, and also take special medications prescribed by your doctor. Seeking medical help is mandatory. Since it is the doctor 
can pick up optimal treatment based on the amount of substance exceeding the norm. The doctor may prescribe the use of diuretics, which will help remove a lot of calcium from the body. One of the means that can increase normal performance the human body during illness is dialysis.
As an option, your doctor may suggest surgery. The essence of this procedure is that the parathyroid gland is removed, which could bring the body into serious condition. This procedure leads to the fact that all pathologies disappear.
Another treatment option may be taking hormones. They will help not only if there is an overdose of calcium, but also if there is a pathology or hereditary predisposition.
To avoid low calcium levels during drug treatment, you also need to know the list of foods that wash the mineral out of the body.
It turns out that such a well-known porridge as oatmeal can remove calcium from the body if consumed more often than once a day.
If you drink 10 or 15 cups of black tea or coffee a day, calcium will also not be retained in the body.
Alcohol, smoked foods, carbonated drinks and salty foods are also not friendly with this chemical element.
Radiation, excess sugar, and certain medications also affect the level of calcium in the body, so before taking medications prescribed by your doctor, you need to inform him about the medications that are already being used.
All lovers of night gatherings should also be aware that calcium is removed from the body very quickly in this case. The same impact can be had autoimmune disease, inflammatory process, occurring in the body, hormonal imbalances and kidney problems.
How to maintain calcium balance in the body and not suffer from its excess
Unfortunately, diseases are getting younger in our time and osteoporosis, which appears by the age of 40, occurs in 25 year olds of the planet. The balance of calcium in the body is quite difficult to maintain due to the low consumption of fermented milk products and the consumption of a large number of foods that can significantly reduce the level of the element in the blood and significantly increase its content.
To maintain an optimal balance that will preserve the functioning of all organs, you need to be careful about your diet and control the amount of foods you consume, which can both lower calcium levels and raise them. This is especially true for products such as sweet drinks, carbonated waters, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Excessive consumption dairy products can also have a detrimental effect on the human body. This is especially true for older people and women, especially if they are prone to constipation and rare stool. Cabbage, sorrel, sardine in oil are a source of calcium, this should not be forgotten if, for example, a person decides to use cabbage diet. Distilled water can reduce the content of the element. You should drink it for no more than two weeks. This is due to the fact that such water can remove not only calcium from the body, but also other necessary and vital important substances. And it is extremely important that the treatment of one disease does not subsequently cause another disease, which will take a long time to be treated and will require restoration of the lost balance. 
In addition, you need to carry out regular medical examination and replenish the body full complex minerals and vitamins with which calcium interacts. Active lifestyle and physical activity influence hormonal background, which is directly related to calcium.
Each of the micro and macroelements that make up mineral composition organism, plays its irreplaceable role. In particular, calcium is responsible for performing several vital functions at once.
Calcium and our health
The calcium content in the human body is approximately 1 kg of total weight. The bulk of calcium is found in bones and teeth, the rest is found in the blood and other tissues. Biological role calcium in our body is very significant. He
is a “building material” for the formation of bones and teeth;
regulates the processes of growth and activity of cells of all types of tissues;
affects metabolism;
normalizes the activity of the muscular and nervous systems;
ensures normal blood clotting;
has an anti-inflammatory effect;
strengthens the body's resistance to external unfavorable factors: sudden changes in weather and infections.
Ours is also known daily requirement in calcium. On average, an adult should consume ~1 g of calcium daily, although only 0.5 g is required to permanently renew tissue structure.
This is due to the fact that calcium ions are absorbed only 50%. For a growing body, pregnant and lactating women need approximately 1.4 - 2 g of calcium per day. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and its retention in the body.
The process of calcium renewal in the body in children occurs after one to two years, in adults – after 10 – 12 years, in older people calcium renewal occurs even more slowly.
Sources of calcium
The leading positions in calcium content are occupied by milk, dairy products, and cheeses. In addition, dairy products help absorb calcium from other foods. Good sources calcium are egg yolk, cabbage, soybeans, roach, sprats, parsley. The more calcium enters the body with plant foods and cereals, the better the condition of bone tissue.
It should be borne in mind that during the process of cooking and frying, organic calcium contained in products turns into inorganic, and more than 60% of it is not absorbed by the body. Products with an acidic reaction lead to calcium metabolism disorders.
Excess calcium
Every sip of water we drink contains calcium (in the form of salts), only its content varies. Our country is mainly dominated by areas where the water contains calcium in excess (it is hard). In areas where natural water contains increased amount calcium and magnesium ions, so much scale accumulates in every home over the course of a year that it can fill a trash can.
Excessive calcium entry into cells connective tissue partially dehydrates them, as a result of which the cells wither and their physiological activity decreases. The nervous system becomes more excitable. Urolithiasis develops.
Water containing a small amount of calcium (soft) is easily absorbed by tissues and washes the body well of excess calcium. Distilled water is ideal in this regard. It is easily absorbed and is a good solvent for many waste products and all minerals, including calcium. It removes excess calcium from the body, but it should be used for no more than two months, as necessary substances may also be removed.
You can reduce the hardness of water at home by boiling it or passing it through a household water purification device.
Salts of oxalic acid, phytin and ballast substances help reduce the absorption of calcium.
At excessive intake calcium salts orally, its increased absorption from the intestine or decreased excretion through the kidneys, the concentration of calcium in the blood plasma may increase. Hypercalcemia develops, which is especially severe cases leads to the deposition of salts in various fabrics and organs. Hypercalcemia may also result from increased intake of vitamin D. Its manifestations include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation and other disorders associated with sharp increase absorption of calcium from the intestines.
Calcium deficiency
Insufficient calcium concentration in the body leads to decreased excitability nervous system, resulting in seizures. Calcium metabolism is characterized by the fact that if it is insufficiently supplied from food, it still continues to be excreted from the body in the same quantities due to its reserves. When the phosphorus-calcium balance is disturbed, the body takes calcium from the “reserve fund” - teeth, bones, large joints - or builds bones from strontium, which leads to changes in the bones: growths form.
If a negative calcium balance persists for a long time, calcium deficiency may occur, such as the disease osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissue, threatening fractures). In this case, the spine, femoral neck and wrist are the most vulnerable and susceptible to injury. Causes calcium retention in the body plant food. WITH therapeutic purpose Calcium preparations (salts) are prescribed: gluconate, lactate, iodide, carbonate, chloride. They are not recommended to be washed down with milk. It is also necessary to exclude from the diet foods containing oxalic and acetic acids.
Osteoporosis vs women
This disease ranks fourth on Earth, second only to diseases cardiovascular system, oncological and endocrine. It occurs as a result of a slow and subtle loss of calcium, which reduces the volume and strength of bones.
This insidious disease develops gradually, it can manifest itself through pain, severe fatigue, excess plaque, periodontal disease, fragility and softening of nails, premature graying, night leg cramps.
Women with fair skin, women who smoke, and drinkers of alcohol and coffee are more susceptible to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis threatens women who have had more than three pregnancies and births, as well as those who breastfed their children for a long time, and those who neglected physical exercise.
The chances of “acquiring” osteoporosis are greater in thin women than in overweight women, since the fat cells of the latter convert the hormone produced by the adrenal glands into female sex hormones – estrogens. And the more estrogen in the body, the less it is at risk of osteoporosis.
In order for bones to remain hard, a balanced exchange of calcium must occur between them and the blood, promoting constant self-renewal of bone tissue. It is this continuous process of self-repair of bones that is supported by estrogens and other hormones. They seem to force calcium to remain in the bones, preventing it from going back into the blood. As estrogen levels in a woman's body decrease with age, bones lose their ability to retain calcium. They become thinner and lighter to such an extent that they become sponge-like.
Did you know...
The concentration of calcium in the blood is controlled by the parathyroid hormone. A drop in calcium levels in the blood leads to increased secretion of the parathyroid glands, which promotes the release of calcium from the bones into the blood. Removal or damage to the parathyroid glands leads to muscle spasms and seizures. This is explained by a decrease in calcium concentration in the blood.
Blood from reduced content calcium does not coagulate in air. The slightest scratch would lead to the death of the body due to blood loss if the blood did not contain calcium ions.
If the expectant mother's food is saturated with calcium and magnesium, then the offspring are predominantly female, and excess potassium leads to the fact that she gives birth to predominantly male offspring. It remains only to find out to what extent this influence of these elements extends to humans, since the described observations apply to cows.
Before menstruation begins, blood calcium levels drop. Lack of calcium has a painful effect on the body of women in the form of postmenstrual syndrome. Doubling calcium intake leads to elimination of emotional and physical symptoms this violation.
Foreign scientists have identified another very important role of calcium in the body. Usually, in case of hypertension, the patient is advised to reduce intake. sodium salt, which is one of the risk factors for increasing blood pressure. It turned out that it is more effective not to reduce sodium intake, but to double calcium intake. The study confirmed the ability of calcium to normalize blood pressure. Within a month and a half, 85% of hypertensive patients blood pressure normalized only by doubling calcium intake.
Calcium test in the body
Answer the questions provided either “yes” or “no”.
1. Do you suffer from brittle bones?
2. Do you have allergies when exposed to the sun for a long time?
3. Do you often have cramps?
4. Do you drink less than one glass of milk every day?
5. Do you consume little dairy products such as yogurt or cheese?
6. Do you drink cola drinks every day?
7. Do you not eat enough green vegetables?
8. Do you have a lot of meat and sausage in your diet?
If you answered “no” to most of the questions, then your body is sufficiently supplied with calcium.
Calcium, Calcium, Ca is chemical element, which is located in group II of the periodic table under No. 20. It is a light silver-white metal. The element owes its name to the English chemist G. Davy, who in 1808 first obtained the metal from wet slaked lime using electrolysis - “calcium” comes from the Latin. "calx" ( genitive“calcis”) – “lime”, “soft stone”.
Calcium is one of the most common elements on our planet. So, among the minerals earth's crust, it ranks fifth in frequency of detection. IN large quantities found in nature: rocks and clay rocks are formed from its salts, calcium can be found in the water of rivers and seas, and it is also an essential component of plant and animal organisms.
In everyday life, the element surrounds a person all the time. Most of the various building materials– cement, brick, concrete, lime, glass – contain Calcium. In addition, there is quite a lot of it in the person himself.
An adult body contains at least 1 kg of calcium.
The role of calcium in the human body
Calcium is probably known to everyone. It often appears in advertisements for various medications or food products. It was thanks to advertising that the role of calcium in supporting the normal condition of teeth and bone tissue became most famous. But few people know that calcium is also important for other systems of the human body. So, first things first.
Teeth and bones
The presence of the required amount of calcium directly affects the proper development of bones and the formation of teeth. This is especially true for infants, children and adolescents. The element is also necessary for adults - it maintains the strength of bones, so that they remain strong throughout life. Pregnant women are a separate category of adults for whom the presence of calcium is extremely important. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the mother’s body provides the fetus with all the elements necessary for development, which includes calcium.
Heart and muscular system
Maintaining heart health is another important roles calcium. Regular intake of calcium in the right amount contributes to the normal functioning of the heart as it is involved in regulating the heartbeat. In addition to the heart, calcium is also needed for the muscular system - it helps muscles move smoothly and correctly.
Nervous system
Not the least important role is played by calcium in supporting the nervous system. Element nourishes nerve fibers, improves their conductivity, which ultimately has a positive effect on the speed of impulses between nerve cells.
Cholesterol
There are ones that are always present in the body - “good” and “bad”. Calcium is one of the elements involved in reducing levels bad cholesterol, the excess of which leads to various diseases heart, blood vessels and other organs.
Daily Calcium Value for Children, Teens and Adults
The daily calcium intake is directly related to a person’s age. It is also important that calcium enters the body along with phosphorus in a ratio of one to five. Optimal daily doses of calcium for various categories of the population depending on their age:
Children
- Up to 3 years – 600 mg.
- From 4 to 10 years – 800 mg.
- From 10 to 13 years – 1000 mg.
- From 13 to 16 years – 1200 mg.
- Over 16 years old – 1000 mg.
Women
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding – 1500-2000 mg.
Men
- Adults (over 16 years old) – 800-1200 mg.
Lack of calcium in the body, symptoms
In order to notice a lack of calcium, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the body. The consequences of mineral deficiency are difficult to determine early stages: Sometimes months and years pass before they become obvious.
The first symptoms of calcium deficiency appear in the nervous system. Increased tension, irritability and anxiety may be noted. Also, a lack of the mineral provokes increased fatigue.
Insufficient calcium leads to decreased skin elasticity, causing it to become dry. Hair loses color and becomes more brittle – the same applies to nails. Teeth are especially affected: various defects enamel and caries may primarily indicate a lack of calcium in the body.
As for the muscular system, it may experience a feeling of numbness and spasms. Trembling in the limbs, as well as the occurrence of night muscle cramps - obvious signs lack of calcium.
As for children, the lack of a mineral sometimes manifests itself in the desire to eat chalk or dirt. In the later stages, a lack of calcium often leads to poor posture and the development of flat feet.
Diseases associated with calcium deficiency
Most often, calcium deficiency appears after thirty years of age. If you ignore the lack of a mineral, then at a minimum, your health condition will worsen, and at maximum, you will experience serious illnesses, and even life expectancy will decrease.
Important! Normal absorption of the mineral occurs with the participation of vitamin D, produced in human body under the influence sunlight!
This is of particular importance for people who, due to the nature of their work, are always in enclosed spaces and are practically deprived of sunlight. A lack of vitamin leads to the fact that calcium absorption is much worse and health is at great risk.
A lack of calcium can cause the following problems:
- growth retardation in children;
- rickets;
- curvature of bones, scoliosis;
- allergy;
- blood clotting disorder;
- kidney stone disease;
- capillary fragility.
People whose bodies are constantly lacking calcium suffer from uncontrollable muscle contractions, bleeding gums and dental problems. They also cope much worse with physical and mental stress.
In some cases, calcium deficiency provokes the appearance of such serious pathologies, How osteomalacia And osteoporosis. These diseases cause bones to soften, making them more fragile and unable to withstand stress. If calcium deficiency is not corrected, the risk of diseases becoming incurable increases.
Multiple sclerosis– incurable neurological disease– develops in cases where the body suffers from a lack of calcium from the age of 15. As a rule, the disease manifests itself after 40 years, but with a particularly acute calcium deficiency it manifests itself earlier.
Excess calcium and related problems
Excess calcium ( hypercalcemia) arises from various reasons. This leads not only overuse products containing calcium, but also the presence of certain diseases:
- Hyperparathyroidism is a pathology that manifests itself in increased production parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands. Most often, this disease occurs in women between 25 and 50 years old. The disease often proceeds without any external manifestations and is detected only during a medical examination.
- Cancers of the lungs, kidneys, ovaries.
- In addition, excess calcium may occur after radiation therapy to the neck and shoulders, as well as due to the presence of excessive amounts of vitamin D in the body.
Older people and women are most susceptible to hypercalcemia.
Symptoms of calcium excess:
- general weakness
- loss of appetite
- increased feeling of thirst
- nausea and vomiting
- convulsions
- pain in the lower abdomen
- constipation
Excess calcium in acute form leads to disruption of brain function, excess production urine, increased blood clotting, decreased absorption of zinc by bone tissue.
How to replenish the body with calcium?
In order to restore calcium reserves in the body, you can use various methods. For example, there are special preparations that contain calcium. They are divided into three groups.
1. Single drugs– products that contain only calcium salt. Often, calcium carbonate is used to make them, which consists of 40% of the element itself. Somewhat less commonly used are calcium citrate, lactate and gluconate, containing 21%, 13% and 9% of the mineral, respectively.
2. Combination drugs - products containing vitamin D, calcium salt and other elements. Advantage similar drugs is that they replenish not only calcium reserves, but also provide the body with vitamin D, which has great value in the process of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and also supports normal condition and formation of bone structures.
3. Multivitamin preparations – complex means, containing many vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain normal functions the body of pregnant women.
Folk remedies
Besides medical supplies calcium replenishment, there are also traditional methods . One of the most famous is the product obtained from the shells of chicken or quail eggs. To make it, the shells are washed well, dried and crushed to powder. After this you should add a little lemon juice. Typically, such a course lasts two weeks, but in some cases it can last for several months.
Among medicinal herbs saturated with calcium, the following can be noted:
- Nettle – 713 mg/100 g
- Forest mallow – 505 mg/100 g
- Great plantain – 412 mg/100 g
- Ivy budra – 289 mg/100 g
Six rules for maintaining normal calcium levels
- Naturally, you should first provide the body with a sufficient amount of calcium. This is especially true for people who are prone to osteoporosis. It is extremely important to eat foods that contain calcium and avoid fasting.
- Make sure that in addition to calcium, the body also receives enough vitamin D. It is present in some foods, such as fish, and is also produced by the body during sunbathing. It is enough to spend 10 minutes in the sun for the daily portion of this vitamin to be synthesized.
- Drink alcohol in moderation or abstain from it altogether. Alcohol disrupts the metabolism of vitamin D in the liver, resulting in much poorer calcium absorption.
- Stop smoking, which leads to serious bone loss.
- Limit on strong coffee. Coffee removes calcium from the body, so this drink should be consumed in moderation.
- News active image life. Exercising is a great way to protect yourself from calcium deficiency. As a result regular loads the condition of bone tissue improves and the balance of calcium in the body returns to normal.
Calcium rich foods
Let's look at which foods contain calcium in large and medium amounts. Dairy products are rightfully considered rich sources of calcium. They contain the mineral in an easily digestible form, and milk sugar, also known as lactose, is converted into lactic acid during digestion and in this form improves the absorption of calcium.
However, the natural cow's milk contains only 120 mg of calcium per 100 g of product, while, for example, milk powder or feta cheese contains much more calcium - 1000 and 530 mg, respectively.
When replenishing calcium deficiency with dairy products, it is necessary to remember that the less fat in such a product, the more calcium it contains. Hard cheeses are considered the leaders in this regard - they contain up to 1300 mg of the element per 100 g of product.
Calcium is present in all varieties of cabbage and spinach. Nuts are also largely composed of calcium. Among the nuts greatest number Calcium is found in almonds and Brazil nuts.
It is noteworthy that seeds such as sesame and poppy also contain calcium, and in decent quantities. They are considered record holders among calcium-rich foods: the first contains 975 mg, and the second – up to 1500 mg.
Whole grain wheat flour is also rich in calcium. Close to 900 mg of microelement is contained in wheat bran. But it should be taken into account that finely ground flour, as well as flour premium grades contains no calcium at all.
Soybeans and products derived from them also contain calcium. In addition, there is a lot of it in herbs such as parsley, mustard leaves, dill and basil. Parsley contains more calcium than milk - 245 mg.
For lovers of baked goods and various sweets, it is useful to know that about 170 mg of calcium is contained in molasses. Using it instead of sugar, you can make baked goods not only tasty, but also healthy.
Calcium in food. Table No. 1
| № | Product | Calcium (Ca) mg/100 g |
| 01 | Poppy | 1450 |
| 02 | Parmesan type cheese | 1300 |
| 03 | Skimmed milk powder | 1155 |
| 04 | Whole milk powder | 1000 |
| 05 | Cheese type "Russian" | 1000 |
| 06 | Sesame seed | 875 |
| 07 | Nettle | 713 |
| 08 | Dry cream | 700 |
| 09 | Brynza | 530 |
| 10 | Goat cheese | 500 |
Calcium in food. Table No. 2
| № | Product | Calcium (Ca) mg/100 g |
| 01 | Processed cheese | 450 |
| 02 | Sesame halva | 425 |
| 03 | Sardines in oil | 420 |
| 04 | Basil | 370 |
| 05 | Condensed milk (with/without sugar) | 307 / 282 |
| 06 | White chocolate | 280 |
| 07 | Almond | 265 |
| 08 | Parsley | 245 |
| 09 | Mackerel (canned) | 241 |
| 10 | Hazelnut | 225 |
| 11 | Egg powder | 193 |
| 12 | Watercress | 190 |
| 13 | Dried white mushrooms | 184 |
| 14 | Sheep milk | 178 |
| 15 | Hazelnut | 170 |
| 16 | Dill | 170 |
| 17 | Dried apricots | 150 |
| 18 | Goat milk | 143 |
| 19 | Ice cream | 140 |
| 20 | Pistachios | 135 |
| 21 | Cottage cheese | 125 |
| 22 | Dried apricots | 120 |
| 23 | Cow's milk | 120 |
| 24 | Yogurt, full-fat kefir | 120 |
| 25 | Acidophilus | 120 |
| 26 | Curdled milk | 118 |
| 27 | Sunflower seeds | 115 |
| 28 | Spinach | 106 |
| 29 | Dried dates | 100 |
| 30 | Crab meat | 100 |
Products containing calcium in amounts less than 100 mg/100 g
What foods contain even less calcium than those presented in the second table? Here are some of them:
- walnuts and shrimp: 95 mg;
- sour cream and cream: 85, 90 mg, respectively;
- boiled white beans: 90 mg;
- oat flakes, herring, carp: 50 mg;
- chicken and veal ≈ 27 mg;
- chicken and rabbit meat ≈ 15 mg;
- pork, lamb, beef: 8, 9, 10 mg respectively.