As a kid we've been learning to eat foods that are rich in calcium to develop good bone strength, teeth and muscles. While it is known to be naturally present in the body, it is important that the levels of calcium are maintained in the body on a regular basis and the best way to obtain this mineral would be by eating calcium-rich foods. This helps not only to strengthen your bones but will also regulate the many functions of your skin, leaving you with glowing and youthful skin.
Most people who notice that they are deficient in calcium are commonly older adults, teenagers, and people who are overweight. This deficiency or lower levels of calcium in the body is referred to as hypoglycemia. The reported prevalence for permanent hypocalcemia ranges from 0.4% and 33% with kidney failure being the most common type of hypocalcemia, followed by vitamin D deficiency. Last study conducted in 2015 estimated that around 3.4 billion people accounted for the risk for calcium deficiency. Read on to find out how calcium deficiency is linked to hair loss.
Can Calcium Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
Apart from this mineral being the hero when it comes to bone and dental health, it is also important for maintaining strong and healthy hair. This is because of the other main functions that calcium is involved in that many are not aware about. This calcium is used to aid in hormone and enzyme secretion. This includes the androgen hormones like estrogen, testosterone, DHT (the main hormone responsible for hair loss). On the other hand, apart from androgen hormones, calcium is also used in hormone-enzyme secretion of biotin enzymes that are involved in healthy hair growth. Another main function that not many know about calcium is that it can also help the body to absorb iron, which is vital for strong, healthy hair - and most importantly in women who are of a child-bearing age.
The role of calcium’s use for the body can vary depending on the different bodily functions. This calcium helps in generating and regenerating new body cells so the elasticity of skin is not just maintained but rather the dead, dull skin is shed off very easily. However, the skin that lacks calcium in the outermost layer known as the epidermal layer appears to be thin, dry and looks very dull and lifeless. So, in order to maintain the health of your skin, it is important to include calcium-rich foods in your diet. It is also important for the health of your hair as one of the main reasons for hair loss is calcium deficiency. If you are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, you should have foods that are rich in calcium.
Common Symptoms Of Calcium Deficiency
As mentioned earlier, hypocalcemia, commonly known as calcium deficiency, happens more often than we can even imagine. When this calcium in the blood starts to run low, people start noticing a change in their body commonly called low calcium symptoms. The average levels of calcium in the body are kept through the actions of the parathyroid hormone (PTH), the kidneys, and the intestines. Now, it is very likely that in most cases the calcium deficiency could be as a result of parathyroid gland issues, kidney disorders, or side effects from other specific medications used.
Complications from calcium deficiency can dramatically change your lifestyle if the condition goes uncatered to at the right time. To avoid this, people need to stay on high alert about these common low calcium symptoms. The symptoms of Hypocalcemia can vary from person to person as well as age and severity of the deficiency.
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Muscle Pain
Cramps in muscles, muscle spasms, aches and pains in the joints are the very early signs of calcium deficiency since ultimately calcium is required to maintain bone and muscle health. But unfortunately, most people don’t attribute these symptoms to hypocalcemia. Most people experience this pain in their arms and thighs when walking or moving around. Calcium deficiency can also result in numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, legs, feet, and around the mouth.
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Severe Fatigue
Tiredness, lack of energy levels, insomnia, constantly feeling sleepy, and extreme fatigue are commonly noticed symptoms of low calcium especially in the blood. Most people experience lethargy, a feeling of sluggishness, and lack of energy. Symptoms of dizziness, brain fog, and lightheadedness are also experienced.
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Skin Related Issues
People who do not get their calcium levels checked and still continue to undergo chronic low calcium levels, it often tends to affect their skin and nails too. Usually, the skin becomes dry and itchy. But researchers have actually found a correlation between hypocalcemia and other skin related issues including eczema and psoriasis. Some of the skin related symptoms due to calcium deficiency include redness, itchiness, and skin blisters. This calcium deficiency could also result in dry, broken, and brittle nails.
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Osteoporosis & Osteopenia
Perhaps the most well-known symptom associated with low calcium is bone pain. Calcium deficiency is strongly linked to osteopenia, which results in low mineral density of bones, this leads to osteoporosis. This condition makes bones thinner and very easily prone to fractures. Common symptoms include pain, posture problems, and in some cases disability are all associated with osteoporosis. Both conditions diminish bone density and increase the risk of bone fractures.
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Pain During Premenstrual Cycle
Most people don’t know it but low calcium levels are also linked to a woman's menstrual cycle. However, studies have also shown that in some cases the link between increased calcium intake and relative improvements in PMS related symptoms.
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Dental Issues
We already know since childhood that calcium is responsible for keeping our bones and teeth healthy. When the body lacks calcium, it starts pulling from various internal sources that store calcium, and one of these includes teeth. Low calcium levels can lead to weak teeth roots, brittle teeth, irritation or pain in the gums, and tooth decay. Calcium deficiency in infants can also delay tooth formation, causing more problems in the future.
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Depression
Another common symptom that not many know about which is related to low levels of calcium in the body. These lower calcium levels have actually been linked to mood disorders, including depression.
Other Symptoms
Beyond the most common symptoms, people can also experience unexpected ones that initially are not connected to calcium deficiency. Some of these unusual symptoms are Chest pain, wheezing, a difficulty swallowing, some relate to seizures, chronic itching of the body and lastly cataracts. While these symptoms are not the norm, they are still warning signs of low calcium levels in the blood that must be addressed
How To Identify Hair Loss Due To Calcium Deficiency
There’s no one particular formula as to identify if hair loss is due to calcium deficiency. The best way is to watch out for the above signs along with hair quality turning bad and eventually noticing hair loss. But this hair loss does differ when it comes to early signs in both men and women.
Females will notice either heavy hair loss, meaning all at once or their head getting more and more scanty with their hair. This means that their partition gets wider and wider and if this goes unnoticed, until they finally end up bald. Men, however, notice their forehead getting larger because of a receding hairline. This begins as early as in their 20’s and can go unnoticed, leading to severe baldness.
Food Intake To Prevent Calcium Deficiency Hair Loss
To maintain the health of your skin, hair and overall bone health, it is very important to incorporate foods that are rich sources of calcium in your daily diet. It is also important for the health of your hair as one of the main reasons for hair loss is calcium deficiency. If you are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, you should have foods that are rich in calcium. Below is a list of foods that will provide you with the daily required amount of calcium.
- Almonds
- Tofu
- Dried figs
- Sweet potatoes
- Sunflower seeds
- Kiwi
- Papaya
Takeaway
Although calcium is a mineral that is mostly associated with your bones, teeth and building muscle strength, you’ll be surprised to know how useful it is when it comes to hair and skin health. Since it is involved in major hormone and enzyme secretion of the body to carry out the normal functioning of the body, once the levels of calcium drops in the body, things start going haywire. The major issue being hair loss. This is why it is very important to incorporate foods with high sources of calcium in your diet on a regular basis. For more take the hair test at Traya and find your root cause for hair loss.
FAQs
Q1 - Does Calcium Affect Hair Growth?
Ans - This calcium helps in generating and regenerating new body cells including renewal of hair cells. If calcium is less in the body, along with other symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, people also tend to notice hair loss.
Q2 - Can Calcium Tablets Stop Hairfall?
Ans - Calcium tablets alone cannot help to solve hair loss. This is because along with calcium deficiency, there would be multiple other root causes that are linked which could be accelerating your hair loss. So, consuming these tablets might help to slow hair loss or stop hair fall but won’t necessarily see regrowth.
Q3 - Which Fruit Has The Most Calcium?
Ans - Figs and oranges are said to be consumed often and especially in season because of it’s high content of calcium stored in it.
Q4 - What 5 Foods Are Rich In Calcium?
Ans - If you are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, you should have foods that are rich in calcium. Almonds, tofu, dried figs, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds are high in calcium content.
