Calcium is an important component of our body, which is essential for our bones, muscles and nerves, among other things. But what happens when we don’t get enough of the mineral? We explain the 6 symptoms of calcium deficiency.
Calcium is an essential mineral that fulfills various functions in our body. Among other things, it is an essential part of our bones and important for healthy teeth . In addition, it is involved in many processes, such as the transmission of stimuli between muscles and nerves, blood clotting and heart function. The mineral is largely stored in our bones, but the mineral must also be ingested in sufficient quantities through nutrition. If this does not happen, the body draws on the reserves stored in the bones, which can lead to a calcium deficiency (hypocalcaemia) and this in turn to various complaints.
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What causes a calcium deficiency?
Certain groups of people have an increased need for calcium, which can lead to a deficiency. These include growing children, pregnant women, competitive athletes, the elderly or people with lactose intolerance . Certain medications or a vitamin D deficiency can also cause a calcium deficiency because it affects the calcium level. Diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, kidney weakness, hypofunction of the parathyroid gland, indigestion and inflammation of the pancreas can also be the cause.
Calcium deficiency: There are 6 symptoms
1. Fatigue
Everyone gets tired sometimes, and that’s normal. Because tiredness can be caused by a variety of different factors, including, for example, lack of sleep, lack of fluids or exercise and an unhealthy diet. However, if you feel unusually tired and exhausted over a longer period of time without any apparent cause, then a calcium deficiency can also be responsible for the symptoms. In any case, you should always have constant tiredness as a symptom checked out by a doctor in order to be able to rule out serious causes.
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2. Muscle cramps
Since calcium plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve transmission, a deficiency can impair muscle and nerve function. A common sign of calcium deficiency is therefore muscle cramps, muscle twitching or muscle pain. Tingling or numbness can also occur in the hands, arms, legs and feet. However, these symptoms can also occur with a vitamin B12 deficiency.
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3. Brittle nails
Brittle, splintered fingernails can not only be visually disturbing – disturbances in the formation of horns can also be a symptom of a calcium deficiency. However, it is a myth that white spots on the fingernails are the sign of a calcium deficiency. These are usually caused by cavities and air pockets as a result of bumps and injuries or a weakened immune system.
4. Depression
What many people do not know: Depression and other mental illnesses can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies. Since calcium controls the transmission of stimuli to the nerve cells, a long-term deficiency of the mineral can manifest itself in symptoms such as irritability, listlessness, anxiety, depressive moods or even depression .
5. Osteoporosis
If we don’t get enough calcium from our diet or if there is a deficiency due to other factors, our body falls back on the body’s own calcium stores in the bones. If this happens over a longer period of time, bone density will decrease. Osteoporosis, in turn, increases the risk of fractures.
6. Skin problems
Since calcium is also found in the upper layers of the skin and supports its regeneration, a lack of the mineral can cause symptoms such as dry, itchy or scaly skin. Skin diseases such as eczema can also develop.
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