Calcium is one of the essential minerals for the body and its functions, and therefore it is important to maintain its normal rate in order to avoid any health problems.
Calcium is the most common mineral in the body, 99% stored in the bones and found in cells (particularly in muscles) and in the blood.
This mineral plays a key role in maintaining the heart and regulating the heart rate. It also helps in the formation and strengthening of teeth, muscles, and some enzyme functions for nerve conduction and blood clotting.
Lack of calcium in the blood, or what is also known as hypocalcemia, may be the result of wrong eating habits, but it may also be due to medications, or as a result of kidney and thyroid disorders. The detection of this deficiency is through a blood test because the symptoms or signs of deficiency do not actually appear except when the calcium level is very low for a long time. Calcium deficiency leads to many health problems: skin, bone, neurological, muscular, cardiac and psychological problems.
What are the main signs of calcium deficiency?
– Dry and flaky skin
Cracked and dry skin is one of the first signs of calcium deficiency.
Muscle cramps
Muscle cramps are one of the main signs of calcium deficiency, especially in the back and legs.
Muscle pain
If cramps indicate a deficiency of this mineral, muscle pain is additional evidence that reveals a severe calcium deficiency.
– Depression
Depression is associated with low levels of calcium, because this mineral plays a role in transmitting information to nerve cells.
– hallucinations
Hallucinations are a mental and neurological disorder that is also associated with a lack of calcium in the blood.
– Numbness and tingling
When calcium deficiency becomes noticeable, a person experiences tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes, as well as the lips and tongue.
Muscle spasms in the throat
When the calcium level becomes too low, these muscle spasms and spasms occur in the throat area and may cause difficulty breathing.
– irregular heartbeat
Calcium plays an important role in regulating the heart rate, and any deficiency in this mineral may lead to irregular heartbeats.
Loss of focus and memory
Calcium deficiency may lead to neurological disorders, including loss of concentration and memory.
Where do we find calcium?
Calcium is found in a range of foods, the most important of which are:
* Dairy products and cheeses
* Seafood such as fish, shellfish, etc
Some green vegetables (such as broccoli, lettuce, and spinach)
* Oil seeds such as almonds and walnuts
* Legumes such as white beans, kidney beans, chickpeas…
* Khubeiba, whole grains such as bulgur and oats… and some herbs such as thyme, basil and mint.
