The lack of calcium in the body, despite the fact that this is the most common element and is found in many foods, is a very capricious element.

Calcium is easily washed out of the bones, is hardly absorbed in the intestines, is poorly absorbed, and therefore often leads to a deficiency in the body.

Calcium is needed by a person, starting from the very early age and throughout childhood. After all, the child grows, for the formation of bones you need a lot of calcium.

But only before the age of 25 calcium is well absorbed, and after the onset of this age, a slow and gradual washing out of calcium from the bones begins.

Calcium deficiency is particularly acute in women menopause. Very often, after the age of 50, they develop osteoporosis, leading to repeated fractures of the limbs.

What will you learn from the article?

• What causes a lack of calcium in the body.
• The first signs and symptoms of a lack of this mineral.
• How to help restore health at home.

Causes of calcium deficiency in the body

I would single out three main factors due to which this macronutrient may be low in the human body.

• First, most people don't know exactly how much calcium is in food. As a result, little of it enters our body.

• Secondly, it is a very capricious element. It is sometimes hardly absorbed in the intestines. In addition, it is often difficult to digest by tissue cells.

• Thirdly, under the influence of many adverse factors, calcium is easily washed out of the bones.

Let's take a closer look at the factors that interfere with its absorption and contribute to washing out of the bones:

• Diseases of any part of the intestine, accompanied by malabsorption of vitamin D, magnesium and phosphorus.
• Sedentary lifestyle or hypodynamia. For calcium to be well absorbed skeletal system, you need to move more, exercise, walk, run, dance and swim.
• Regular use of soft drinking water depleted by this macroelement.
• Stress interferes with the absorption of calcium and leads to its active leaching from bone cells.
• Frequent alcohol consumption disrupts the metabolism of vitamin D in the liver and the mineral is not absorbed.
• Smoking. Nicotine interferes with the absorption of the macronutrient from the intestine.
• Taking medications - hormones, laxatives, drugs to reduce stomach acid, diuretics, anticonvulsants, tetracycline, promotes the removal of calcium from bone cells, binding and removal from the body.
• Unbalanced diet with a predominance of meat, fatty, oversalted, sweet food. All this disrupts the metabolism, insoluble compounds can form. Ultimately, the mineral is absorbed worse or penetrates into the walls of blood vessels, cells of organs and systems.
• Coffee drinkers should be aware that caffeine causes calcium to be leached out and excreted in the urine.
• And how children love Pepsi-Cola, which also actively removes this element from the body and often already in adolescence leads to terrible diagnosis osteoporosis.
• Thermal processing of food immediately transfers calcium from organic form into inorganic, hardly soluble and poorly digestible.
• Babies transfer to artificial feeding contributes to insufficient absorption of calcium. From breast milk 70% is absorbed, from artificial mixtures - only 30%. True, nursing mothers now, fearing an allergy in a baby, limit themselves in nutrition. They eat almost one buckwheat. A growing baby will take the last thing from mom. But still, calcium will not be enough for both.

Signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency

The initial symptom is increased nervous excitability. Moreover, both in children and adults.

In young children, calcium deficiency can be manifested by pain in the legs, especially when falling asleep.

Adolescents have more specific symptoms - bones and joints crunch when moving, the spine hurts. Posture is broken. Parents do not pay attention to these symptoms in their son or daughter for a very long time. Here it is just appropriate for prophylaxis to give vitamins, lactate or calcium citrate, eggshells.

Adults with great success can listen to what is happening in their body. You can think of a calcium deficiency if:

1. 1. • The condition of the hair has changed. They became dull, lifeless. Fall out. If the nails peel and break. The skin is dry, flaky. Teeth deteriorate, caries develops. These phenomena are often associated with some kind of upheaval in life. For example, stress, exams, hard work. Often young women after the birth of a child and breastfeeding suffer from these problems.

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 serious symptoms such as bone pain, back deformity and frequent fractures, a person may be disturbed by a feeling of fatigue, leg cramps at night, heart palpitations, brittle nails, periodontal disease.

Unfortunately habits modern man- 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- 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 that causes serious loss bone tissue.

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. Causes the greatest damage to bone tissue sedentary image life. 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 human body- this 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 depressive states 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 milk lover, there are many other foods that have enough calcium: vegetables dark green(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, increased fatigue. All this negatively affects the absorption of calcium by the body. For the day you must eat: half a pack of cottage cheese, 1-1.5 g eggshell(it can be added to the main meal), a couple of slices of cheese, 2 cups of milk. All of this contains daily allowance calcium - 500 or 1000 mg per day for an adult. For better assimilation Calcium in the body requires vitamin D. It is desirable 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

When it comes to this macronutrient, most people think that the lack of calcium in the body is dangerous only for bones and teeth. In fact, the consequences of deficiency can affect almost everything. internal organs and systems. How does a lack of calcium in the body manifest itself, what symptoms in women with this condition appear most often, how to understand that a child lacks this substance? Why is vitamin D needed in case of poor absorption of calcium by the body, why do women with its deficiency fail to lose weight quickly, do older people need to increase their intake of the substance?

With a lack of calcium in the body of a woman, both her health and appearance. How to check if you are getting enough macronutrient? Since the lack of calcium in the body has similar symptoms in both men and women, both in adults and in children, you will be able to independently determine whether you need to see a doctor or enrich your menu enough with products with high content this substance. After all, there are foods that prevent the absorption of calcium from food.

Factors causing calcium deficiency

A macronutrient deficiency is possible not only with a poor diet. Sometimes even people who consume expensive foods high in calcium suffer from hypocalcemia. This may be due to:

• The absence or insufficient intake of vitamin D. The fact is that the substance is well absorbed only in tandem with vitamin D. That is why pediatricians prescribe Aquadetrim for young children in their first year of life during the cold season.
• The use of sodium in in large numbers. Prevent the absorption of the macronutrient and excess potassium and magnesium. Also, people who consume excessive amounts of products containing oxalic acid can suffer from its deficiency. These include: spinach, rhubarb, sorrel, currants and gooseberries.
• chronic diseases kidneys.
• The consumption of large doses of phosphorus (contained in soft drinks and all kinds of food additives).
• Lack of calcium in the body and autoimmune diseases.
• Taking certain medicines: inhibitors proton pump, anticonvulsants. There is also a deterioration in the absorption of the substance during and after chemotherapy sessions.
• Hormonal disorders in the female body.
• Women's passion for strict diets.

Partially, calcium compounds are converted into a soluble form under the action of of hydrochloric acid gastric juice. In order not to think about how to make up for the lack of calcium, it is necessary to monitor the functioning of the digestive tract. Often various violations in their work can be detected in people with obesity.

Deficiency symptoms in women

There are a number of signs that help determine the lack of a substance in the body.

• One of the main symptoms of a lack of a substance are considered muscle spasms. It is also difficult for a person with a deficiency of this substance to move because of pain localized in the muscles of the thighs and arms.
• The problem extends to skin. Individuals with a macronutrient deficiency may develop eczema or psoriasis. In women, the fragility of nails and hair increases.
• Calcium is one of the main components of teeth. Therefore, with its shortage, there is a deterioration in the condition of the teeth and oral cavity.
• These symptoms include chronic fatigue.
• A lack of calcium can provoke a change in voice (due to spasms of the larynx).
• In the future, a person may begin to lose consciousness, the process of swallowing becomes difficult.
• With advanced hypocalcemia, a person is diagnosed with glaucoma.
• There is numbness of the fingertips and corners of the mouth.
• Osteoporotic joint pain occurs. And in further women suffer from osteoporosis.
• Hypocalcemia may present with a tendency to nosebleeds.
• Due to reduced immunity, the tendency to allergic reactions increases.
• Arrhythmia is another alarming "bell" that may indicate calcium deficiency. Sexologists believe that cardiovascular disorders are the culprits of women's sexual dysfunction.

Surprisingly, with a lack of calcium in the body, women cannot lose weight. Based on studies conducted with the participation of both animals and humans, scientists were able to find out the following: fat cells contain calcium, which, together with hormones, affects the activity of lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats.

Deficiency in men

Symptoms of a macronutrient deficiency in the body of the stronger sex are similar to those in women. And although it is believed that osteoporosis is 4 times more common among women, men are also prone to developing it.

However, few people know that the symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body can be:

• increased irritability (this phenomenon not only prevents a normal life, but also reduces sex drive);
• sleep disorder;
• severe attacks headache.

neonatal hypocalcemia

This disease is diagnosed in newborns shortly after birth. As a rule, calcium deficiency is detected in the first few days of life. However, the problem may show up after 3 or more days.

Risk factors leading to the disease are: premature birth, diabetes in a woman in labor. In older adults, the problem may arise due to the use cow's milk. Pediatricians do not at all recommend introducing this product into the diet of a child up to 8-12 months of age.

Symptoms of neonatal hypocalcemia include the following:

• nervousness and anxiety;
• poor appetite;
• slow breathing or apnea;
• tachycardia.

To clinical symptoms hypocalcemia in infants include:

• excessive sweating while eating and sleeping;
• rolling out hair at the back of the head (with a lack of a macronutrient, the baby rubs his head against the pillow);
• fearfulness and shuddering at sharp and loud sounds;
• trembling of the chin while crying.

Signs and actions of parents

To find out if a baby has a calcium deficiency in the body, there are several simple methods:

1. With your fingertip, lightly tap on the baby's cheek (at the corner of the mouth). If twitching occurs, then a calcium deficiency in the baby is possible.
2. Squeeze the child's hand in the middle third of the shoulder. If at the same time his fingers cramped, the probability of a deficiency is very high.

At the first symptoms, consult a doctor. After all, the deficiency of this macronutrient in children's body often causes rickets. This disease can lead to disability, physical and mental developmental delay of the crumbs.

Calcium deficiency in children can occur during the formation and development of spinal curves and walking. In this case, there is a violation of posture and curvature of the bones of the limbs, children often have low body weight. As the child grows older, hypocalcemia leads to splitting and brittleness of the nails, cracked corners of the mouth, anemia, and seizures.

In the treatment of the disease, infants receive calcium gluconate intravenously and take drugs orally. With rickets, the intake of funds must be combined with the use of vitamin D by children. However, the dosage should be prescribed only by a doctor.

Myths and reality about the elderly

You've probably heard that the risk of developing osteoporosis increases significantly with age. Unfortunately, older people understand this in such a way that they need to increase daily dose calcium. But New Zealand scientists do not think so.

Scientists from the University of Auckland found that calcium only increases bone strength by 1-2%. Also, experts tried to identify the relationship between the frequency of bone fractures and the use of this macronutrient. As it turned out, regular consumption of the substance does not at all reduce the risk of injury.

In order for the body to function normally even in old age, it is necessary to consume no less calcium than experts recommend. And here additional reception substances in the form of certain tablets are not needed at all.

Daily consumption rates

The “dose” of a macronutrient that the body needs daily depends on the age of the person. For maximum absorption, it is necessary that it enters the body along with phosphorus.

There are so-called optimal doses of calcium depending on age:

• up to a year - 400 mg;
• 1-3 years - 600 mg;
• 3-10 years - 800 mg;
• 10-13 years - 1000 mg;
• 13-25 years - 1200 mg;
• 25-55 years - 1000 mg;
• after 55 years - 1200 mg.

The daily intake of calcium by pregnant and lactating women is from 1500 to 2000 mg., Women during menopause - 1400 mg.

What to do in case of deficiency

If you have found signs of a clear lack of calcium in yourself or your child, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will review your medical history, ask about genetic predisposition to calcium deficiency and osteoporosis.

If, nevertheless, the specialist suspects hypocalcemia, he will send you to the laboratory in order to take a blood sample. If symptoms of a macronutrient deficiency are observed in a child, then you will be prescribed a urine test according to Sulkovich.

Usually, people who do not have enough calcium in the body, doctors prescribe it in the form of vitamin supplements. However, it should be borne in mind that they may interact poorly with certain drugs:

• beta-blockers to lower blood pressure;
• means for lowering cholesterol levels;
• with estrogen content (may increase the level of calcium in the blood).

Help with nutrition

You can replenish your calcium stores by eating high protein foods: meat, fish, legumes, cottage cheese and sour-milk components. You should also pay attention to sesame seed, turnips and greens, broccoli and cabbage.

This is very important, because if you suffer from a lack of calcium in the body, then taking vitamins and supplements with this substance will not have big effect. It is known that it is the protein that transports the substances coming from the outside to the destination through special channels - into the cells. That is why the lack of calcium in the body, the symptoms of which we have already talked about, often occurs in supporters of vegetarianism and people with intolerance to cow's milk protein.

What foods should be avoided

If calcium is poorly absorbed in your body, then in addition to treatment, you need to monitor your diet. There are a number of foods that leach out the macronutrient, resulting in dire consequences for good health. Their absence from your menu will help to avoid the loss of a precious substance:

• carbonated and alcoholic drinks;
• coffee and other foods high in caffeine;
• salty dishes.

You should also avoid eating too much fat. They bind calcium and do not allow the macronutrient to break through to the cells. And, of course, with such disappointing diagnosis excess weight should be shed.

With calcium deficiency, experts advise quitting smoking. This bad habit adversely affects the absorption of the macronutrient.

Please note that with a complete diet nutrition is difficult to create an excess of calcium in the bones. After all, the excess is excreted by the kidneys and intestines. But the additional intake of the substance in the form of tablets leads to the accumulation of calcium salts in the kidneys.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers believe that they need to take vitamin complexes enriched with calcium. Experts believe that for normal functioning women's bodies do not need higher dose macronutrient than 2000 mg. The main thing is not to forget to regularly walk on fresh air- to produce vitamin D.

Now you know what a lack of calcium in the blood and bones leads to, what symptoms can signal a problem. However, do not forget that all good things should be in moderation. An excess of calcium also does not bode well, so take vitamins and medications only in doses recommended by the attending physician. Do not forget that vegetarians and people with milk protein intolerance (celiac disease) are at risk.

Classmates

Have you been to the dentist for a long time? - Rarely does anyone do without this specialist. As a rule, a lack of calcium is to blame. But why is this happening? In this article, you will find out what is the reason for the lack of this important element how to detect "shortage" in time, why calcium is not absorbed, what folk methods help fill it daily allowance. We will also discuss what serious illness may develop in case of such deficiency.

Calcium deficiency is a fairly common problem, which is at risk not only for pregnant women and nursing mothers, but also for children. To prevent the consequences Special attention pay proper nutrition, control the diet, especially in a child.

Daily calcium intake for children and adults:

• in infants, up to 6 months - 400 mg;
• from 6 months to 3 years - 600 mg;
• from 3 to 10 years - the norm increases by 20 mg. It turns out 800 mg;
• from 11 to 16 years old - 1200 mg;
• for adults - the norm is 1200 mg.

Why calcium is not absorbed

Many complain, they say: “Why am I on a sour-milk diet, but calcium is still not enough?”. Everything is easily explained.

• disadvantage - it turns out that in order for calcium to be absorbed, you need to drink vitamin D, especially in the autumn-winter period, when there is not enough solar activity;
• abuse of sugary carbonated drinks - did you know that Sprite, Cola and similar drinks wash out calcium, because they contain an excess of phosphorus, and, of course, it is better not to drink;
• in order for calcium to be retained in the bones, minerals such as magnesium, zinc, boron, copper and manganese are needed;
• strict diets with no dairy products will never replenish calcium levels;
• smoking and overuse alcohol;
• coffee abuse;
• recent stomach surgery
• steam disturbances thyroid gland;

Why calcium deficiency is dangerous for children

If the child does not receive enough of this mineral, he will stop growing, teeth will not form well, and changes will occur in the lens of the eye. will appear nervous disorders, excitability, blood will clot poorly. As a result, the child grows weak and frail.

But what is needed for calcium to be absorbed, Dr. Komarovsky will tell.

The good news is that it is relatively easy for children to make up for such a deficit. Babies - from mother's milk, and older children - from animal milk and products from it.

How to detect calcium deficiency in time

Pay attention to the following symptoms:

• dry and brittle nails and hair;
• hyperexcitability nervous system;
• frequent caries;
• fragile and brittle bones (osteoporosis);
• bad blood clotting;
• frequent complaints of pain in the lumbar region;
• another sign of a lack of this mineral is when you are often sick infectious diseases;
• when there are disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system.

What diseases are caused by calcium deficiency?

The lack of this element can be associated with a large list of diseases and pathological conditions:

• infectious diseases;
• heart failure;
• dysbacteriosis;
• recent operations;
• stress;
• neuropathy.

To do this, you will have, first of all, to radically revise your diet and adhere to the following recommendations:

• drink milk with a little fat;
• prepare daily low-fat smoothies from fruits and milk;
• season salads and dressings with natural yogurt;
• forget about useless mayonnaise and confectionery cream;
• For breakfast, eat a variety of cereals and cereals.

Folk ways to restore calcium deficiency

You can make up for the lack of calcium by folk methods:

1. The simplest and effective method You need to increase your intake of dairy products. This is especially useful for young children for the formation bone skeleton, tooth growth . Eat 100 g of cottage cheese with sour cream daily and drink a glass of milk or yogurt. For proper absorption of calcium, do not forget to take vitamin D.
2. Diversify your menu with fish products, meat.
3. Do not immediately resort to treatment with pills when you can do without them. They can be replaced with egg shells and lemon juice.

Effective Lemon Recipe

Cooking process:

1. It is necessary to wash the shell well. Then put it in a frying pan and dry it over low heat. You can also use the oven to dry microwave oven.
2. When the shell is dry, you will need to grind it to a powder state and extinguish the contents with lemon juice. For one egg, 2 tsp is enough. lemon juice.

The resulting mixture is consumed twice a day during meals. For prevention, such a course is no more than 2 months. If your blood tests show an acute calcium deficiency, you will need to extend the course for 3 months.

Such a recipe actually helps to make up for calcium deficiency, since the eggshell contains more than 25 micro and microelements, zinc, silicon, fluorine, iron, selenium, manganese. Such a powder can be drunk not only by adults, but also by children. It does not harm the body, eliminates diathesis.

How else can you use an egg shell

For the recipe you will need:

• 20 chicken eggs;
• three-liter jar;
• 20 lemons;
• gauze.

Cooking process:

1. Wash your eggs in water laundry soap. Rinse clean water and put it in a jar.
2. Pour the contents with lemon juice so that the shell is completely covered. After that, you will need to wrap the neck of the jar with gauze and leave it in a dark and cool place for 20 days.
3. After 20 days, add good cognac to the resulting liquid. Mix everything well and send it to storage in the refrigerator.

You need to take such a remedy for 1 dessert spoon three times a day after meals. Duration of the course - until the lemon-egg mixture is over.

By taking into account the above information, you can radically change your lifestyle by preventing dangerous consequences lack of calcium. To do this, you need to review your diet and exercise regularly. exercise. Good luck!

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, macronutrient regulates contractile function hearts, nourishes nervous tissue and participates in the conduction of impulses, lowers cholesterol levels, regulates blood pressure, takes part in the transportation nutrients on cell membranes and much more.

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

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 (per average weight 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 and 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, which is observed during the period 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, fast fatiguability, decreased performance.
• Nervousness, irritability.
• Dryness and peeling of the skin, brittle nails. excessive sweating 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 clotting blood.

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

• Therapy acute condition 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 supplements cause side effects in the form of abdominal pain, nausea, constipation.
• Each drug has a number strict contraindications(pregnancy, urolithiasis disease, tuberculosis, chronic kidney 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 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 a bound systemic form, 680 mg calcium 80 mg magnesium hydroxycarbonate in 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. Medicine prescribed for hypocalcemia, diseases of the thyroid gland, blood vessels. Available as a solution for intravenous administration 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. With therapeutic purpose 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 - complex drug, designed to eliminate calcium deficiency and prevent conditions in adults and children from 12 years of age. 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. Belongs to the category of dietary supplements and acts 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 sources traditional medicine promote the consumption of eggshells as natural source calcium. Indeed, the egg shell is 90% calcium. But research recent years showed that the digestibility of the element from the shell is very low, even when used with lemon or something else. Therefore, consider eggshells as an alternative balanced nutrition or therapeutic drugs, not worth it.

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 at the University of Auckland, analyzed 2 studies that looked at the effect of calcium on bone density. One of them covered age group over 50 years old (13790 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 high content there is no element in the products (at the same time, calcium must be supplied with food in the daily requirement).

But sufficient physical activity, in particular, jumping for 2 minutes daily is good. preventive measure osteoporosis for the elderly. But let's not forget that this is just one study that concerns a specific group of people without taking into account comorbidities and features 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 enough macronutrient content to satisfy daily requirement in him;
• The use of foods rich in vitamin D, which ensures the transformation of Ca in the body and its better absorption (sour milk, vegetable oils, eggs, seafood, fish liver, fish fat, oatmeal, greens);
• Prophylactic intake of vitamin D for children in the autumn-winter period (on the recommendation of a doctor);
• Sufficient location for 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. Medical prevention hypocalcemia is especially relevant for pregnant, lactating and elderly women;
• Compliance with due physical activity, feasible sport.

Foods containing calcium

A nutritious diet with enough calcium is the best prevention and 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%;
• Products plant origin 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)

Milk 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	Hen	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	Brazilian nut, 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 onion, 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	White cabbage fresh, 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, black Eyed Peas	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	Apple	7