Who is at risk of calcium deficiency

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Back to Health Is air-frying healthy? Dairy-free diet Popular diets Healthy meal subscriptions Best vegan protein powders. This affects the structure and strength of bones and makes fractures more likely. Osteoporosis is…. Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting and bone metabolism. Good sources include leafy green vegetables, such as kale and Swiss chard.

In this edition of Medical Myths, we take a look at eight misconceptions about vegan and vegetarian diets. We tackle protein, B12, pregnancy, and more. What happens when calcium levels are low? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Symptoms Consulting a doctor Who is at risk Complications Treatment and prevention Summary Hypocalcemia, also known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when the blood has low levels of calcium.

What are the symptoms? When to contact a doctor. Is calcium deficiency disease common? Treatment and prevention. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. Supplements for vegans: What to know. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, PharmD. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Nonfat and low-fat dairy products yogurt, cheese, and milk are good sources of calcium. Vegetable sources of calcium include dried beans, kale, spinach, and collard greens.

Animal sources of calcium include fish with soft bones, such as sardines and salmon. For example, 2 ounces of nonfat American cheese has mg of calcium. One cup of skim milk has mg of calcium. And 3 ounces of pink salmon has mg of calcium. Some foods may be fortified with calcium orange juice, bread, pasta, dry breakfast cereal, and dairy substitutes.

Depending on your age, sex, overall health, and other factors, your doctor might recommend that you take a calcium supplement. Also, your doctor can tell you if a calcium supplement will affect any medical conditions you have. He or she will need to know about any prescription or over-the-counter OTC medicines, or other dietary supplements you are taking.

Calcium supplements can affect the way certain medicines work. For example, calcium supplements can interfere with blood pressure and synthetic thyroid medicines, bisphosphonates, and antibiotics. Other supplements, such as iron, can affect how the body absorbs, uses, or gets rid of medicines or supplements.

There are 2 main types of calcium supplements: calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Both types are available without a prescription. Over-the-counter calcium supplements are available in tablet, chewable, liquid, and powder form. Other types of calcium include calcium gluconate and calcium lactate.

These contain less elemental calcium than calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. If a supplement is right for you, your doctor will help you decide which one to take. He or she will also explain what amount of calcium to take each day and how to take the supplement. You should consume the recommended amount of calcium per day through the food you eat, supplements, or vitamins.

Many people are at an increased risk for calcium deficiency as they age. This deficiency may be due to a variety of factors, including:. For children and teenagers, the recommended daily allowances for calcium are the same for both sexes.

According to the U. Women need to increase their calcium intake earlier in life than men, starting in middle age. Meeting the necessary calcium requirement is particularly important as a woman approaches menopause.

During menopause , women should also increase their calcium intake to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and calcium deficiency disease. The hormone disorder hypoparathyroidism may also cause calcium deficiency disease.

Other causes of hypocalcemia include malnutrition and malabsorption. Additional causes include:. But long-term low levels of calcium can have serious effects. Early stage calcium deficiency may not cause any symptoms. However, symptoms will develop as the condition progresses. Calcium deficiencies can affect all parts of the body, resulting in weak nails, slower hair growth, and fragile, thin skin. Calcium also plays an important role in both neurotransmitter release and muscle contractions.

So, calcium deficiencies can bring on seizures in otherwise healthy people. If you start experiencing neurological symptoms like memory loss, numbness and tingling, hallucinations, or seizures, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of calcium deficiency disease.

Albumin is a protein that binds to calcium and transports it through the blood. Sustained low calcium levels in your blood may confirm a diagnosis of calcium deficiency disease. Normal calcium levels for adults can range from 8.