Calcium is an essential mineral that helps your body create healthy bones and teeth, and plays a crucial role in the functioning of your heart and muscles.

The recommended daily intake of calcium is about 1,000mg per day for adults. However, many do not consume nearly enough of it, leading to insufficiency.

Calcium deficiency or hypocalcaemia – meaning excessively low levels of calcium in the blood – can lead to numerous health problems. If you experience symptoms as outlined below, it is best to consult your doctor, who will examine your medical history and ask about family members who have had osteoporosis or known diagnoses of calcium deficiency.

A blood sample is usually taken for your doctor to assess calcium levels, of which the normal range is between 8.5 and 10.5mg/dl in adults. Anything less suggests hypocalcaemia, which is especially serious if it falls below 7mg/dl.

Left untreated, hypocalcaemia can be fatal. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Muscle spasms and cramps

Muscles contract and relax with the aid of calcium, which also helps maintain their function and tone. As such, aches, cramps, spasms and muscle weakness may result owing to deficiency.

• Numbness and tingling

Watch out for tingling in the extremities, particularly in the hands and feet. Nerves have difficulty registering sensations and sending signals when calcium levels fall too low, leading to numbness.

• Fatigue

Hypocalcaemia may also result in fatigue as calcium is needed for muscle fibers and neurons to function optimally. As such, when it is depleted in cells, weariness, weakness and exhaustion may set in.

• Seizures

Appropriate calcium levels are necessary for neurotransmitter release in brain cells, as well as muscle contraction. Hypocalcaemia, therefore, may lead to seizures resulting from the overexcitation of the brain.

• Atypical heart rhythm

Low calcium levels have been known to lead to an irregular heartbeat, which, if severe, can be fatal. This should come as no surprise, given that the heart itself is a muscle.

Heart cells stop functioning properly if they do not receive adequate calcium. This may disrupt one’s regular heartbeat, produce cardiac muscle spasms, and restrict the arteries.

• Dry skin

A lesser-known function of calcium is to support skin health by lowering its pH levels and protecting the epidermal barrier, which stops the skin from losing too much water.

Blood calcium levels that are too low make it impossible for the skin to maintain a suitable pH and retain moisture, leading to dry and scaly skin.

• Osteopenia and osteoporosis

Brittle bones, also known as osteoporosis, are caused by a lack of calcium. Osteopenia is a less severe variation of the disease.

When blood calcium levels fall, the body releases more calcium from bones to make up the difference. This ultimately results in extremely fragile bones, increased fracture risk, and significant bone weakness.

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

PMS is extremely common among women, the causes of which include low vitamin D and calcium levels.

• Tooth decay and gum disease

It is well known that calcium is essential for strong and healthy teeth. As minerals in the teeth can be broken down by food, beverages, and oral microorganisms, it takes a sufficient amount of calcium to stop this mineral loss.

Research has also shown that a calcium deficit is one of the causes of gum disease.

• Rickets

Children who do not get enough calcium or vitamin D may develop rickets, as lack of calcium limits the mineralisation of bones, which is crucial for a growing child.

Eventually, the bones deteriorate and soften, which could lead to deformities. Thankfully, in the developed world, rickets is rare.

• Confusion and memory loss

Hypocalcaemia may cause confusion, disorientation, and/or memory loss, given that calcium is essential for a healthy brain and nerve cells. Cognitive function can be greatly hampered by deficiency.

• Cataracts

Cloudy areas in the lens of the eye, leading to a decrease in vision, can also result from a calcium deficit.

How to get more calcium

There are other excellent sources of calcium beyond dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt, which are commonly known to be high in calcium. These include:

• kale, okra, spinach, broccoli, and other green, leafy vegetables;
• added-calcium soya drinks;
• fortified bread and cereals;
• nuts and seeds;
• fish with edible bones, such as sardines and pilchards.

There is no need to take a calcium supplement if you consume a healthy, balanced diet with a variety of foods. If, however, you think you need supplements, consult your doctor as you wouldn’t want to take too much calcium, which could also lead to complications.

This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.