Calcium Deficiency

Home Remedies for Calcium Deficiency

What is Calcium Deficiency?

Calcium is required for the growth and strengthening of bones and teeth. Calcium deficiency is one of the most common problems that begins at childhood and resurfaces during pregnancy or old age.

Causes of Calcium Deficiency

  • Inadequate intake of calcium rich foods
  • Defective absorption of nutrients in the stomach and intestine
  • Other conditions like vitamin D deficiency, liver disease etc

Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency

  • Brittle bones
  • Joint pains
  • Yellowing of teeth
  • In extreme cases, rickets (soft bones) in children and osteoporosis (brittle bones adults)

Home remedies

Dairy products: Consumption of calcium rich dairy products like milk, curds, paneer and buttermilk is one of the best ways to rebuild your calcium reserves.
Green leafy vegetables: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, celery, fenugreek (methi) etc. are also good sources of calcium.
Lemon: A lemon a day keeps the cold away. For a bad cold, the juice of two lemons in ½ a litre (2 1/2 cups) of boiling water sweetened with honey, taken at bed time, is a very effective remedy.
Ginger: Cut ginger into 1-1 1/2pieces and boil with a cup of water. Give 8-10 boils. Strain, sweeten with ½ teaspoon sugar and drink hot.
Soyabean: Soyabean and its products like soya flour, soya milk, tofu etc. are valuable sources of calcium and protein. A quarter to half cup of soyabeans in any form is beneficial for those with calcium deficiency. A vegetable made with soyabeans in gravy or chapattis made with Soya flour are the most acceptable dishes for both children and adults.
Sesame seeds (til): Having 1 to 2 tsp of sesame seeds everyday is an effective way to keep calcium deficiency at bay.
Cumin seeds: A teaspoon of cumin seeds is added to 1 glass of boiling water. Strain and simmer for a few minutes. Let it cool. Drink it 1 -2 times a day. If sore throat is also present, add a few small pieces of dry ginger to the boiling water.

Tips for increasing calcium intake

  1. Include at least one source of calcium in every meal.
  2. Have at least 100 to 125 grams of one leafy vegetable everyday, either cooked or uncooked.
  3. Consume 2 to 3 glasses of milk in any form (like curds, paneer etc.) to supplement calcium in your diet. Overweight people can use low calorie milk products.
  4. Restrict the consumption of fat, as excessive fat hinders the absorption of calcium in the body.
  5. Have a sunbath every morning, as the early morning sunlight is good for the production of vitamin D which in turn helps in the synthesis of calcium in our body.