Consequences of calcium deficiency, its importance for women aged 40 and over

By :Rita Cohen 0 comments

The effects of calcium deficiency, its causes and its importance to women aged 40 plus and over

Calcium has a great impact on our quality of life and is an important part of eating right. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in our bodies. Its normal level is critical for the functioning of all body cells, with emphasis on the brain, muscles, nervous system (neurotransmission) and heart. Most of the calcium is in the bones and teeth and the rest is in the blood and other fluids in our bodies. Low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia), caused by the decrease in calcium in their blood, can disrupt the lives of many people.

As we grow older, the balance of calcium in the body is disrupted, so we need to be aware of it - and in response to consuming more calcium. Menopausal women (around the age of 40) tend to suffer more from calcium escape due to the hormonal changes in the body. Our natural tendency is to address the general side effects that come with menopause, which are easier for us to identify their symptoms, so calcium deficiency is not necessarily something we notice or pay special attention to.

In our body, every day a process of building and breaking down the bone takes place. From the ages of 35-40, the body no longer builds the bones at the same rate of decomposition, thus breaking the balance between building and bone destruction. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as sports, avoiding smoking and alcohol, along with increasing awareness of the importance of food and minerals we consume, will allow us to maintain a healthy body and stronger bones.

The body needs enough calcium to maintain its bones. For example, men and women aged 30-50 need about 1,000 mg of calcium a day when they reach age 50, the recommended daily amount increases to about 1,200 mg of calcium a day. Calcium can be consumed from food, nutritional supplements or through a combination of the two. There are many calcium-rich foods, such as a glass of fortified milk, containing about 360 mg of calcium, but it is important to note that the calcium derived from the food is not fully absorbed, so even if you take care of daily calcium intake - the consequences of calcium are also relevant for you.

Three effects that can cause calcium deficiency:

Crohn's and Colitis: Inflammatory bowel diseases that increase the chance of calcium escape

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Previously, these diseases were not very common, but in recent decades there has been a dramatic increase in their prevalence in Western countries (today in about 20% of cases, these diseases appear before the age of 15). Patients with these diseases are at increased risk of calcium balance disorders, which are reflected in the calcium escape from the bones. The reason for the escape of calcium is due to disorders of calcium absorption and vitamin D, due to the release of inflammatory substances that increase bone destruction. Importantly, the level of calcium absorption is age-dependent and decreases in advanced age and in menopausal women, so it is recommended to undergo bone density testing and take calcium supplements.

Dementia (Dementia): May be due to calcium deficiency

This disease, or by name known as cerebral atrophy, is manifested through a significant decline in human cognitive function. The main symptoms of the disease are impaired speech, impaired short-term memory, attention problems, thinking and judgment, and even mental symptoms such as depression and anxiety. When there is a persistent calcium deficiency, this negative effect on the nervous system may be expressed through depression and psychosis, which can escalate and lead to dementia and brain damage. Clinical and preclinical observational studies suggest an association between estrogen loss and vascular cellular disease, so menopausal women are at risk of vascular dementia (the initial symptoms of menstrual disorders arise in the brain and include hot flashes, sleep disorders and more).

Osteopenia, osteoporosis and the direct relationship to menopause

Osteoporosis, also known as bone-thinning disease, is a metabolic bone disease caused by the bone marrow process, which leads to loss of bone mass and increased bone fragility. The bone, because of its dynamic tissue, is constantly destroyed and built. In menopause, the rate of bone disintegration exceeds its rate and data indicate that one in three women will suffer from osteoporosis. Spinal, wrist and neck fractures - considered the most dangerous - are the main consequences of osteoporosis. It is worth noting that the reason why osteoporosis is more common in menopausal women is the sharp decrease in bone density that occurs during this age.

The importance of early diagnosis and finding the right solution

It is very important to diagnose as early as possible osteoporosis and other diseases presented here, as there are a variety of effective and safe treatments available today - and the consequences of lack of awareness and prevention may be irreversible. Calcium can be consumed from food (calcium-rich food). However, it is important to know that not all calcium from the food is absorbed by the body due to many reasons such as age, absorption factors and more.

Therefore, it is recommended to add to your daily routine a supplement as Density. Density, the Amorphous Calcium is a calcium supplement that is absorbed 2 to 4.6 times higher than crystalline calcium carbonate (For the experiment that shows the better absorption of the amorphous calcium, click here). Density helps more and more people around the world to improve their quality of life by increasing their bone mass or slowing down its rate. Therefore, it is advisable to start consuming the amorphous calcium as soon as possible.