8 of 8

Write now Article Tools

if you were to ask 100 people on the street to list the negative effects of a calcium-deficient diet, most would be hard-pressed to come up with more than one. It is wide-spread knowledge that osteoporosis can be caused by a calcium-deficient diet, but that is not the end of the story. There are several health problems known to be caused by consuming less than the recommended amount of this vital mineral.

When calcium levels are too low, the body reacts to prevent starvation. This reaction causes the thyroid glands to release hormones that in turn causes the bones to release calcium into your blood stream. Your kidneys react to this by releasing, calcitriol, a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb the calcium your bones are releasing. This starvation reaction can help save your life during a famine and other situations where you don't have access to food. However, for most of us, when the body is in starvation mode, it is a false reaction and is more harmful than beneficial. Several ill-effects are caused by this over-production of hormones and depletion of calcium.

Bone density loss: When your bones release calcium they lose their density. This is known as Osteoporosis. Bones become more porous, weakening them, and making them more susceptible to breakage. A weakened bone structure causes several serious health issues. The hunch-back that you see in some elderly people is caused by a weakening of the spine. Microscopic breaks in the disks cause them to compress and deform, resulting in a bent spine. Tooth loss can result from a loss of density in the jaw bone. The jaw loosens it grip on the teeth, allowing bacteria to invade the gaps. Infection, bleeding, and tooth loss can occur as a result. Falling arches in the feet can be caused by tiny fractures in the porous bones. Hip fractures are more common in the elderly due to the calcium starved bones. And on top of all that, the calcium-poor bones have a much harder time healing.

Storage of body fat: The release of these hormones causes our bodies to produce and store more fat. This is another starvation reaction that could save your life during a famine. But we are not experiencing a famine in this country, in fact, two-thirds of Americans are overweight. Since 80% of us are not getting the calcium that we should, it's not surprising. In many cases, a healthier diet, not a reduction of calories, might be the solution to an overweight population. The recommended daily allowance of calcium, especially

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to tell if you are getting enough calcium in your diet?
We want to hear your view. Write now!