Low levels of calcium can cause osteoporosis, osteomalacia, muscle cramps, and spasms, as well as high blood pressure, colon cancer, and depression, which can be fatal. Adequate calcium intake is crucial for bone and muscle health.
A lack of calcium, a mineral usually abundant in the human body, can lead to severe discomfort or death. The bones are most often affected, because osteoporosis or osteomalacia can occur, resulting in easy fracture of the bones. Muscles are also affected by low levels of calcium, resulting in unexpected muscle cramps and spasms that can be uncomfortable and even fatal. Other problems caused by low calcium, such as high blood pressure, colon cancer and depression, can also be fatal in the worst cases. For these reasons it is important to ensure that there is an adequate amount of calcium in one’s diet.
Many of the effects of low calcium levels affect your bones, because getting enough of this mineral keeps them strong and healthy. Osteoporosis, which is a degeneration of bones, is often seen in adults with low calcium intake. Menopausal women are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis because hormonal changes tend to strip calcium from bones and cause it to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Osteomalacia, the demineralization of bones, leading to painful and easily broken bones can also result. This condition in children is known as rickets, but the symptoms are the same as those experienced by adults with osteomalacia.
Muscles are also often affected by a lack of calcium in the body. Occasional muscle cramps are common in people who don’t get enough of this mineral. Indeed, some people suffer from tetany, which leads to muscle spasms. The result can be mild – leading to the occasional tingling in the toes, fingers and lips – or it could be fatal, as when the throat or laryngeal muscles suddenly spasm. For this reason, calcium deficiency is generally considered a serious problem that should be resolved quickly.
Other problems resulting from a lack of calcium can also be fatal. For example, high blood pressure can occur because calcium controls the contraction of blood vessels, which means it increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat are often noticed when there is not enough calcium in the body. Colon cancer is also a possible effect of a lack of calcium, because this mineral can prevent bile acids from building up in the intestines. Finally, depression and anxiety can also occur, which should be diagnosed and treated before they become severe enough to lead to suicide.
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