Calcium Deficiency

Calcium deficiency

The need of our tissues for calcium should be supplied by calcium in our diet. If this is deficient, the calcium stored in our bones is drawn upon in order to keep the calcium-content of the blood at a normal level; consequently, if the account at the calcium bank (in the bones) is overdrawn, our bones become brittle and porous, and our teeth rot quickly.

A jelly-like substance known as connective-tissue holds together the millions of cells of which the body is composed – rather like cement holds the bricks of a house together. Vitamin C enters into its formation, and calcium must be present before the jel will set. In other words, calcium is to the connective-tissue what pectin is to jam or jelly. Strong elastic connective-tissue is essential; it protects substances in the blood, such as poisons, toxins, drugs, viruses, etc. If there is a deficiency of vitamin C in the diet, the connective-tissue becomes so weak that, even though the supply of calcium is adequate, it cannot make use of it. Protection of the cells afforded by the connective tissue is thus weakened, and invading noxious substances and germs gain entry.

Flesh foods contain much phosphorus. Meat eaters should therefore, take extra calcium, to balance the extra phosphorus in meat; and the extra intake of calcium and phosphorus calls for extra vitamin D to deal with it.

During the week prior to menstruation, the blood-calcium sometimes falls to such an extent that nerviness and depression result. At the onset of menstruation, the blood-calcium may drop still further, causing menstrual cramps, which is really cramp of the muscular walls of the uterus. This condition usually occurs during adolescence when the demand for calcium in the growing body exceeds the supply, and it is then that calcium tablets in the form of bone-meal should be taken to supplement milk which is very often pasteurized and, therefore result in calcium deficiency. Even if un-pasteurized, it may not be taken in sufficient quantity to meet the calcium needs of the calcium needs of the body. Milk is a complete food, ruined by pasteurization.

It is wise to take extra calcium during the year before menstruation begins, and again during the menopause. Women of all ages are more pleasant, and girls more manageable, if calcium is taken, because a sufficiency of calcium in the system soothes the nerves and avoids unpleasant symptoms such as hot flushes, mental depression, painful menstrual periods, and constipation due to a spastic bowel.

Calcium is essential for the proper assimilation of vitamin C, and is itself dependent upon the presence of vitamin D and of some vegetable fat in the diet, without which it is not absorbed by the body .

You may be getting an adequate amount of it and yet getting calcium-deficiency symptoms, simply because you are not assimilating it. An excessive amount of animal fat in the diet reduces calcium assimilation. Intake of sufficient calcium is one thing; getting the body to absorb it is quite another. The body will absorb it, but only if the diet includes enough vitamin D and excludes and excess of animal fat.