As we grow older, our bodies experience changes, some of which may come with suffering. From aches and pains to illness, it is not uncommon for many people to experience these transitions over time. Aging, however, isn’t always the reason behind these issues. Have you ever stopped to think that these physical ailments could result from a lack of calcium? Let’s take a closer look so you can understand.
We already know the vital role that calcium plays in the body—specifically in taking care of our bones, heart, muscles, and nervous system. But what happens when we don’t give our body enough of this all-star mineral?
This can lead to a calcium deficiency. Our teeth and bones are home to the majority of the calcium in our bodies, where we store an impressive 99% of calcium! But what about that extra 1%? Where does that live? Well, it lives inside the blood, and it’s responsible for critical functions including muscle and blood vessel contractions and expansion, and sending important messages through the nervous system. So this small yet mighty 1% is pretty essential!
A CLOSER LOOK AT CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES
A calcium deficiency in the teeth and bones can occur for any number of reasons, including dietary causes. However, blood calcium levels may drop in response to non-dietary reasons and result from something deeper. Health problems such as kidney failure, stomach removal, and certain medications can lead to hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency).
Hypocalcemia manifests in the body when we lose too much calcium through urination, or when we don't shift enough calcium from our bones into the blood. Symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
One of the most common symptoms that doctors test for is Trousseau’s sign — a spasm that is present in 94% of hypocalcemic patients.
HOW COMMON IS A CALCIUM DEFICIENCY?
Studies show that 3.5 billion people from around the world are at risk of calcium deficiency due to not getting enough of this mineral in their daily diet.
Many people suffer from a calcium deficiency without even knowing, as it can take time for symptoms to appear in the body. However, metabolic changes and potential dysfunctions may already have manifested; if left untreated, they can become life-threatening. So, if you think you aren’t reaching your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium, consider scheduling a 24-hour urine calcium test to monitor your calcium levels and establish how much calcium you need to intake each day to restore balance.
A study involving 252 females between the ages of 18 and 51 in Pakistan found that 41% of participants had calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, with 78% reporting consistent symptoms of back, leg, and joint pain. It is common knowledge that females receive less calcium through their diets than males.
In the United States, the following demographics are at a higher risk of calcium deficiency:
CALCIUM AND MUSCLE CRAMPS
Calcium helps with muscle contractions and relaxation. This means that a lack of calcium can lead to muscle cramps and spasms throughout the body. When our muscles experience a calcium deficiency, they no longer contract as they should and lose their natural rhythm, which leads to aches, cramps, spasms, and weaknesses in the muscles. Research supports this by showing that Calcium is essential for both neurotransmitter release and muscle contraction.
HYPOCALCEMIA TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
First and foremost, a calcium-rich diet can ensure you give your body all the calcium it needs to operate smoothly and avoid unwanted aches and pains. For those with chronic hypocalcemia, calcium and vitamin D supplements may often be an effective treatment—especially when you lack calcium due to dietary or medical reasons. With an effective and reputable calcium supplement, you can restore your health by balancing your calcium levels. Vitamin D supplements help to increase the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract, so these two minerals truly work hand in hand. The above symptoms should disappear once the body positively reacts to the changes arising from the support of supplements.
Patients with acute symptomatic hypocalcemia can benefit from a therapeutic treatment known as intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate.
TIPS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
We wanted to share some tips for pain relief that will help you on the days those aches and pains take over and leave you feeling depleted. Here are some of our favorite pain management methods that can ease you back to comfort:
EXERCISE
Choose an exercise that feels good to you without adding to the pain. This will be different for everyone and can range from a light walk to movement on the mat to lengthen and strengthen the body. Try to add movement into your daily routine regardless of whether you are experiencing pain. Frequently physical activity can work wonders for both your mental and physical health.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
When the pain is too much, reaching out to a healthcare professional and attending some physical therapy sessions can be very beneficial. Here you’ll be able to dive into the practitioner’s knowledge of the body to understand the source of your pain and how to best treat it. A physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, or occupational therapist can help—and these experts will advise you on the best types of activities to manage your pain.
SELF-HELP
The internet is home to an abundance of knowledge, and you can find pretty much everything you need to know about anything online. One way to discover important tools for personal pain relief is to do some research on the pain you are experiencing, including whereabouts in the body it is occurring. From there, aim to create a self-guided recovery plan that can include movements, supplements, and even relaxation.
RELAXATION
Speaking of relaxation, this invaluable technique can work in two ways. Often, with joint and muscle pain, it involves movement. Light yet frequent exercise can bring much-needed relief to this kind of pain, all while helping the body rest (in moderation) on the road back to good health. Find a way to calm the mind and body, possibly through meditation or mindful breathing. Whatever makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated—do that!
PAIN RELIEF WITH MARAH NATURAL
When it comes to natural pain relief and restoring your body back to health, we’ve got you covered with Marah Natural’s Joint Health Bundle. Created with those suffering from hypocalcemia in mind, this bundle is designed to fuel your body with all the elements it needs to initiate natural healing. Using our proprietary SAC Formulation Technology, a powerful blend of our star products Marah-Cel and Recatril promotes pain relief while elevating cellular and tissue repair. The addition of Marah Natural’s signature water bottle means you can seamlessly integrate these products into your daily health ritual, and even mix your supplements hours ahead while on the go.
What this bundle does:
Take control of your health today and choose healing the natural way with Marah Natural.