Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body. 99 percent of the calcium in the body is stored in the bones and teeth. Only the remaining 1 percent is in the blood. Calcium is essential not only for bone strength, but also for maintaining a regular heartbeat, moving muscles, and transmitting messages through the nervous system. A condition in which the level of calcium in the blood falls below the normal rate is scientifically called hypocalcemia. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind calcium deficiency in the body:
Severe deficiency of Vitamin D3: No matter how much calcium-rich foods we eat, the body needs vitamin D3 to absorb it in the intestines and deliver it to the blood. Without vitamin D3, the body will excrete calcium from the food. Vitamin D3 deficiency is the most important scientific reason for calcium deficiency in people who do not get enough sun exposure and do not have a proper diet.
Hypoparathyroidism: Parathyroid Glands are four small glands found behind the thyroid gland in our neck. The PTH (Parathyroid Hormone) produced by them precisely controls the level of calcium in the blood. If the production of this hormone decreases for any reason (Hypoparathyroidism), the calcium level in the blood will suddenly drop sharply.
Poor Dietary Intake and Changed Habits: Not eating calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, paneer, and leafy greens can cause calcium deficiency in children and adults. Along with this, drinking too much tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks can cause calcium to be excreted from the body in large quantities through urine.
Kidney failure and chronic kidney disease: People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are unable to maintain adequate levels of calcium in the body. Damaged kidneys interfere with the activation of the vitamin D hormone, causing excessive calcium to be lost from the body through urine. Malabsorption diseases that affect the intestines can also prevent calcium absorption.
Low blood magnesium (Hypomagnesemia): Magnesium is needed for the body to properly metabolize calcium. When the level of magnesium in the blood drops too low, it interferes with the function of parathyroid hormone, resulting in low calcium levels. Long-term use of certain types of medications can also cause this.