Chennai: Since early childhood, people are exposed to milk advertisements that emphasise on the importance of calcium. However, we know how important the mineral is only when we cross the age of 30 and begin experiencing bone-related ailments. This week, let us explore about calcium and the role of Vitmain D in maintaining healthy bones.
“Though the element is more associated with bones, it plays a crucial role in clotting, contraction of heart and teeth. Till the age of 30, the bones keep building and the process slowly dies away and in the case of women, the fall is rapid,” stated Dr Shriram Krishnamoorthy, associate consultant, orthopaedics, Fortis Malar Hospital.
Collagen, a type of protein, is required to complete the formation of bones in a human body for which adequate consumption of Vitamin C is required.
“Ninetynine per cent of calcium is stored in the bones and the remaining in the blood. It moves to the blood whenever required to perform other activities. Post-30 years of age, the body spends the calcium that has been stored in the body till then. Since the storage process comes to a halt once a person reaches middle age, they are prone to osteoporosis, osteomalacia and other such conditions,” added Dr Shriram.
REQUIREMENT FOR WOMEN
The doctor further opined that the need to maintain healthy levels of calcium and Vitamin D is important for women though bone-related problems are common both in men and women.
“For women who have hit menopause, since the supply of estrogen which keeps the bone healthy comes down, they must take required measures to maintain good bones right from a young age. Such problems are more common when they are in their 50s,” he pointed out.
Talking about deficiency, the doctor continued, “The deficiency of calcium is not a common phenomenon, it is the lack of Vitamin D which is affects the overall process.”
ROLE OF VITAMIN D
Though the general population is not deficient in calcium, Vitamin D is required to transport the stored calcium.
“Vitamin D is also very important when we talk about bone health. The vitamin, which is also known as Sunshine Vitamin, helps the body absorb calcium. Whenever we consume foods containing calcium, it goes to the stomach and the vitamin transports the element to other parts of the body. It plays the role of transporter,” he stated.
“Even when one consumes more calcium, if there is nothing to carry it to other parts, it is of no use. The coordination of Vitamin D and calcium is required to ensure good health,” he explained.
BODY REACTION
“When there is calcium deficiency, the patient experiences fragility fracture where the bones get fractured when s/he dashes the bones against an object. It may not be a great fall but a minor slip that could cause the fracture,” said the doctor.
DETECTION EASIER
A simple X-ray can reveal the status of bones. However, experts opine that invention of mobile-based applications has made the work easier.
“Nowadays, the detection has become even more simple. There are a lot of mobile applications that have been launched where you can get proper values when you enter the basic details about your body such as height, weight, etc.,” he stated.
However, for proper detection, ‘DEXA’ test is performed to identify the density of bones. When the density is more than minus 2.5, the condition is known as osteoporosis. It is considered to be normal, when the density is above minus 1.
MAINTAINING LEVELS
Since calcium is present in almost all fruits and vegetables, the doctor says that maintaining its levels is easier, unlike other mineral deficiencies.
“Just two glasses of milk is enough to maintain the levels of calcium in a human body. In addition, almost all vegetables that we consume are rich in calcium. It is just that we need adequate Vitamin D to transport it to other parts of the body. Since people are leading sedentary lifestyle, exposure to sunlight has come down and it is ideal if they get exposed to the sunlight between 11 am and 1 pm for 30 minutes,” said Dr Shriram.
“The sunlight converts the cholesterol to Vitamin D and the rest of the process is taken care of when the body is exposed to the required radiation,” he added.
REQUIREMENT
The requirement of the mineral per day is 1,300 milligrams at age 18 and is said to increase as humans grow older, said Dr Vineetha Krishnan, nutritionist, Fortis Malar Hospital.
PROBLEMS IN NEWBORN
However, it should also be noted that hypocalcemia is a condition that has become common in newborns.
“When the mother fails to meet the requirement during pregnancy, it is more common that the infant would also get affected. It is essential that the mother meets the requirements of all the nutrients,” said Dr Vineetha Krishnan.