When a deficiency is severe or when supplements and dietary adjustments are not achieving sufficient results, a doctor may prescribe calcium injections. The best approach is to add more calcium to the diet. When this is not possible, a doctor may recommend supplements, either as oral tablets or injections. Read this article in Spanish. A vegan diet can have many health benefits, but vegans may also need to take some supplements to ensure that they get all the required nutrients….
Bone density decreases with time, and some people have a risk of developing weak or brittle bones. Learn how to increase or maintain bone density here.
Osteoporosis occurs when bone density decreases. This affects the structure and strength of bones and makes fractures more likely. Osteoporosis is…. Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting and bone metabolism. Good sources include leafy green vegetables, such as kale and Swiss chard. In this edition of Medical Myths, we take a look at eight misconceptions about vegan and vegetarian diets. We tackle protein, B12, pregnancy, and more.
What happens when calcium levels are low? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Symptoms Consulting a doctor Who is at risk Complications Treatment and prevention Summary Hypocalcemia, also known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when the blood has low levels of calcium. What are the symptoms? When to contact a doctor. Is calcium deficiency disease common?
Treatment and prevention. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Supplements for vegans: What to know. You need to get enough calcium, which comes from food and is stored in the bones and teeth. There generally are no obvious symptoms at least in the short term from not consuming enough calcium. Over time, low calcium intake can have detrimental effects on different body systems, including contributing to low bone mass and risk for osteoporosis.
A severe calcium deficiency can produce symptoms, such as numbness and tingling in the fingers, convulsions and abnormal heart rhythm. Dairy products milk, yogurt, cheese are plentiful sources. Other sources include canned salmon and sardines with bones, kale , collards, broccoli, bok choy, almonds and sesame seeds. Some foods are fortified with calcium. All adults age 19 to 50 and men up to age 70 should get 1, mg of calcium a day.
This is a reader-friendly overview of Calcium. For more details, see our health professional fact sheet on Calcium. Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. The body needs calcium to maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness. The body also needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between the brain and every body part.
In addition, calcium is used to help blood vessels move blood throughout the body and to help release hormones and enzymes that affect almost every function in the human body. The amount of calcium you need each day depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in milligrams mg :. Calcium is found in many foods. You can get recommended amounts of calcium by eating a variety of foods, including the following:.
Calcium is found in many multivitamin-mineral supplements , though the amount varies by product. Dietary supplements that contain only calcium or calcium with other nutrients such as vitamin D are also available. Check the Supplement Facts label to determine the amount of calcium provided. The two main forms of calcium dietary supplements are carbonate and citrate.
Calcium carbonate is inexpensive, but is absorbed best when taken with food. Each pill or chew provides — mg of calcium. Calcium citrate, a more expensive form of the supplement, is absorbed well on an empty or a full stomach. In addition, people with low levels of stomach acid a condition more common in people older than 50 absorb calcium citrate more easily than calcium carbonate.
Other forms of calcium in supplements and fortified foods include gluconate, lactate, and phosphate. Calcium absorption is best when a person consumes no more than mg at one time. Calcium supplements may cause gas, bloating, and constipation in some people.
If any of these symptoms occur, try spreading out the calcium dose throughout the day, taking the supplement with meals, or changing the supplement brand or calcium form you take. When total intakes from both food and supplements are considered, many people—particularly adolescent girls—still fall short of getting enough calcium, while some older women likely get more than the upper limit.
Many factors can affect the amount of calcium absorbed from the digestive tract , including:. Many factors can also affect how much calcium the body eliminates in urine, feces, and sweat. These include consumption of alcohol- and caffeine-containing beverages as well as intake of other nutrients protein, sodium, potassium , and phosphorus. In most people, these factors have little effect on calcium status.
Insufficient intakes of calcium do not produce obvious symptoms in the short term because the body maintains calcium levels in the blood by taking it from bone. Over the long term, intakes of calcium below recommended levels have health consequences, such as causing low bone mass osteopenia and increasing the risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Symptoms of serious calcium deficiency include numbness and tingling in the fingers, convulsions, and abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to death if not corrected.
These symptoms occur almost always in people with serious health problems or who are undergoing certain medical treatments. Scientists are studying calcium to understand how it affects health.
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