By Mohamad Yusuf N Shaikh
Calcium is an essential micronutrient found in abundance in the human body and as per the experts around 99% of it is stored in the bones and teeth. The remaining body calcium functions in metabolism, blood clotting, muscle contraction and hormone secretion, nerve transmission in blood stream and more. The deficit in the calcium deposits isn’t a problem that occurs instantly instead it is a pressure that builds up over a period of time.
Mohamad Yusuf N Shaikh
Similar to the withdrawal of cash from an ATM if regular checks aren’t provided to the account balance then it won’t be known until it’s completely gone. While the warning signs of deficit start with an unexpected fracture or loss of the tooth, the severe stages of the problem include muscle spasms, burning sensation around the mouth and fingers, facial spasms, seizures, and tremors. The calcium deficiency is mainly caused due to factors like ageing, Vitamin D deficit and hormonal changes like the decline in estrogen hormone during menopause. While the mild loss of calcium from bone is called osteopenia, osteoporosis is the severe version of the problem. When the severe stage continues for long, the aftereffects could result in fragility, broken bones, loss of mobility and more such things.
Of all the treatments available, Ayurvedic medications are considered as the best remedial measures to uplift the depleting calcium levels in the body. The best part of Ayurvedic procedures is that they involve a balanced therapy of herbal medications right from the abode of Mother Nature and a routine workout to strengthen the body’s immune system. Here are some tips from the Ayurvedic practices that will help to bring the calcium deficiency in control easily:
- Intake of water: Water is essential for hydration and, therefore, for life. The bioavailability of calcium and magnesium is higher in water than in food. But the reverse osmosis and distilling devices remove virtually all the minerals from the input water. Both calcium and magnesium are essential to human health. Inadequate intake of either nutrient can impair health. So it is advisable to use natural simple filtered water.
Maintain dietary calcium intake: An ideal per day calcium level requirement for adults and the elderly is 1000-1300mg, for, it is 700-1000 mg for teenagers and kids and 250-300 mg for infants. Amongst all the aforementioned ages, the calcium deficit can click on the body clock anytime. And the best way to meet the body’s daily calcium requirement is to consume an apt quantity of healthy food products which include fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
Products like milk, yoghurt, tofu, soybeans, soy juice, oranges and tangerines are easily available and are very good suppliers of calcium. For non-vegetarians, the list adds up products like salmon, tuna and egg yolk. Other than these, vegetables like Broccoli, spinach, Mustard greens, Garlic and sun-dried tomatoes are also some important calcium supplements for the human body. Coming to the fruits, dried figs, dates, dried apricots, dried plum, rhubarb, papaya, prickly pears, kiwi and mulberry are good options for daily diet.
The natural supplements strengthen the body from within, unlike the artificial ones that develop higher levels of calcium serum in the blood which holds the danger of developing calcification in the arteries and other body tissues. Even the medical studies stand in favour of the natural supplements and have referred daily consumption of approx 600 mg of calcium as adequate for the smooth body functioning.
- Amp up the supportive nutrients level: When it comes to strengthening the bones and stabilizing the calcium levels in them, there is a need to maintain a proper dosage of Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, and Magnesium. Below it is briefly described how these supportive nutrients are closely linked with the calcium levels in the human body:
- Vitamin D- The presence of Vitamin D inadequate levels increases the body’s ability to effectively absorb calcium.
- Vitamin K2- This regulates the calcium deposition in the human body. In case, the calcium deposits instead of getting stored in the bones are piling up in the arteries; Vitamin K2 cleans it up from arteries and deposits adequately in the bones.
- Magnesium- Deficit of magnesium in the body, affects the growth & fragility of bone, alters the calcium metabolism and hampers the hormones that regulate calcium.
- Power herbs for holistic body development: The herbs in Ayurveda help to replenish the calcium levels in the human body in a natural way and strengthen the body immune from within. Below are the main power herbs of Ayurveda that can help in recovering from the Calcium deficiency:
- Amalaki (EmblicaOfficinalis): Popular for its rejuvenating properties, this is a natural antioxidant that removes the impurities from the body and helps in the regeneration of cells. Amalaki is very rich in vitamin C and contains many minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamin B complex. It is also a powerful antioxidant agent. Amla helps in preventing premature ageing, soothing hyperacidity, boosting metabolism and improving immunity.
- Guduchi (Giloy) – Giloy is a universal herb that helps boost immunity level, maintaining homeostasis and preventing the diseases from causing any harm to the body. The stem is of maximum utility but the roots and leaves can also be used. Giloy contains anti-ageing properties that reduce signs of aging. Improves vision and helps treat diabetes, arthritis, cronic fever and much more.
- Sesame seeds– Are a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as Calcium, magnesium, magnese zinc, copper, phosphorous, amino acid and many more. Encourages bone health, relives arthritis, prevent cancers, heart diseases, useful for anemia, respiratory disorders, protects from radiation damages, improves digestion and oral health. Sesame seeds are highly potent and are widely used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Sesame seeds are recommended for reversing the negative effects of diseases and infections. In order to their culinary uses, these seeds possess nutritive, preventive and curative properties.
- Moringa– Fresh moringa leaves are rich in calcium. Moringa lives contains four times the amount of calcium found in milk. Moringa contains many healthful compounds such as, beta-carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, ascorbic acid, calcium, potassium and iron. Almost all parts of the tree are eaten or used as ingredients in trditonal herbal medicnes.Moringa also supports brain health, reduces inflammation and detoxifies the body through the digestivbe system. It also helps improve liver function. Lack of ascorbic acid has proven a negative affect on pancreas and its ability to secret insulin, thereby causing high levels of blood sugar Moringa also used successfully to treat diabetes also.
- Improve the sedentary lifestyle: When one is on the Ayurvedic treatment of disease make it a point to avoid indulging into smoking, drinking alcohol, Fry fermented fast food & junkfoods, untimely periods of sleep and meals and other such health depriving habits. Be regular with the meditation, yoga and exercises as it will help in relaxing the body from all the tensions, stress and anxiety to make the healing procedures work more effectively. Regular bodily movements in the form of yoga asanas and exercise not only strengthens the muscle and joints but also increases its flexibility thus, doing wonders for the osteoarthritis patients.
(The author is Founder Kudrati Ayurved Health Center, Ahmedabad)