Calcium and Vitamin D3

Calcium plays an important role in the body. It is fundamental for healthy bones, joints, muscles, and teeth. Symptoms of calcium deficiency are quite common. It may include:

• Muscle cramps and spasms in the thighs, arms, and underarms and especially when walking.
• Calcium deficiency has even been linked to painful premenstrual syndromes.
• Mood disorders, depression, and a general feeling of malaise.

We have been taught the importance of calcium as we grow up, and many supplements exist in the market. Yet calcium deficiency is still quite common. Severe calcium deficiency can manifest itself in diseases such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. These are bone degenerative diseases that either reduce the mineral density of the bones or make the bones brittle and more vulnerable to fracture. Both are relatively common specially in women. Unfortunately, we have seen a rise of these conditions in recent decades.

So, what are we missing?

Vitamin D3 or the “sunshine vitamin” is an important factor which assists with the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D3 is made by the body when it absorbs sunlight for 15 minutes or longer, hence its catchy nickname. The skin must be exposed to the sun for the UV rays to be absorbed and transformed into this vitamin by the body. This is especially problematic in countries with persistent cloudy weather. However, it also can be problematic in our modern lives in general, as we spend most of our time in-doors, working. It is estimated that about 70% of the population has a vitamin D3 deficiency.

Vitamin D3 is the necessary catalyst that transports calcium in our diet through our gut wall and into our bones. So often, we may be supplementing with calcium, yet we may be deficient in vitamin D3. This means that our bodies will not be able to absorb calcium efficiently, if at all.  It will either pass through our urine or stay in our blood, which can be very problematic for our kidneys. The sunshine vitamin needs to be a part of calcium supplementation to maximize absorption.

Calcium is also especially important for pregnant moms. As the baby grows in the womb, it will use the calcium present in the mom’s body. Calcium supplementation for pregnant moms must be done carefully. Calcium carbonate is the only recommended form of calcium supplementation during pregnancy. Nevertheless, a calcium deficiency during pregnancy could lead to bone degenerative diseases much sooner in life.

Vitamin D3 is the necessary catalyst that transports calcium in our diet through our gut wall and into our bones. So often, we may be supplementing with calcium, yet we may be deficient in vitamin D3. This means that our bodies will not be able to absorb calcium efficiently, if at all. It will either pass through our urine or stay in our blood, which can be very problematic for our kidneys. The sunshine vitamin needs to be a part of calcium supplementation to maximize absorption.

Calcium is also especially important for pregnant moms. As the baby grows in the womb it will use the calcium present in the mom’s body. Calcium supplementation for pregnant moms must be done carefully. Calcium carbonated is the only recommended form of calcium supplementation during pregnancy. Nevertheless, calcium is especially important as pregnancy may worsen any deficiency that the mom may have, and it could lead to bone degenerative diseases much sooner in life.