Why Is Calcium Important For Bone Health

As everyone knows Calcium is the most important and widely found mineral in the body. Calcium is involved in vital functioning of body and helps to maintain and sustain healthy bones.

Calcium stored in the bones supports skeletal functions and structure. Other important benefits include muscle contraction, relaxation, Blood vessel contraction and expansions etc. In fact many studies have found that adolescent boys and girls, post-menopausal women, senior citizens and people involved in regular activity are more susceptible to calcium deficiency

Effects of Calcium deficiency on Bone health?

Calcium deficiency results in Hypocalcemia a condition in which there is less calcium in the blood than required. Calcium deficiency is considered a global health problem now. Calcium availability from only diet is insurmountable. By volume bone is 50 percent mineral, 64 % of which is calcium. Now one can imagine the magnanimous role of calcium in bone health.

Signs of Calcium deficiency

• Muscle Cramps
• Numbness
• Brittle Nails
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Spasms
• Slower and fragile hair growth
• Poor appetite
• Tooth decay
• Insomnia etc

What happens when you have low calcium levels?

With low Calcium levels there is risk of developing –

• Osteoporosis – Means Porous Bone, a bone disease resulting from bone density loss resulting in increased chance of fracture
• Osteopenia – results when bones are weaker than normal but are not as worst as osteoporosis

If the dietary intake of Calcium is not sufficient, the body starts utilizing from the stored reservoir to overcome the short-coming. If there is persistent utilization of calcium from bone it would lead to osteopenia and ultimately osteoporosis.

USP to look before buying Calcium Supplements

• Vitamin D3 – Vitamin D3 aids in better calcium absorption and regulates calcium in blood
• Magnesium – Magnesium and calcium work in tandem with calcium for muscle contraction and relaxation
• Vitamin K – Helps calcium adhere to bone and form strong bones
• Vitamin C – Helps to prevent bone loss
• Vitamin B12 – Plays important role in bone health and prevention of osteoporosis
• Avoid supplements with Calcium and Iron combination
• Don’t take supplements with more than 500 – 600mg calcium

In a nut shell, Calcium is central to optimal bone health. The market is flooded with various Calcium supplement, it becomes a task to select proper Calcium supplement with positive effects and purity.