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Does Calcium Help Energy?

Sep 10, 2011 | By Aureau Walding
Does Calcium Help Energy?
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Calcium is an essential mineral required in your body to maintain skeletal health. The majority of calcium resides in your bones and teeth but a small percent plays a significant function in your blood, cells and tissue. When calcium stores in your blood are inadequate the body demineralizes bone to regain blood serum homeostasis. This vital role of calcium impacts your energy level and proper action of your muscles.

Calcium Blood Concentration

Aside from its prominence as a mineral in bone, calcium also acts as an electrolyte, or charged ion particle. As an electrolyte, concentrations of calcium in the blood surround your cells and mediates the constriction and relaxation of blood vessels, muscle contraction and nerve impulses. Low blood calcium triggers a cascade of biochemical events to prevent your body from fatiguing or experiencing worse symptoms such as irregular heart contractions. However, chronic calcium deficiency can increase the risk of lethargy, poor parathyroid function and loss of bone mass due to demineralization.

Cause of Low Calcium

Adequate calcium levels in your body depend on the presence or balance of a host of other nutrients including sodium, protein and phosphorus. In addition to poor dietary intake of calcium, lack of vitamin D, which is necessary for proper calcium absorption, and deficiency of magnesium, another important electrolyte and mineral can cause calcium deficiency. Medical causes of low calcium are generally due to chronic kidney failure. Your kidneys are the filtration system of your body and when they fail calcium cannot be properly absorbed and distributed to your cells.

Calcium Balance and Energy Restoration

In the event of acute low calcium, or hypocalcemia, you may be able to easily replace lost calcium and restore your energy with a sports drink or vitamin D fortified glass of milk. However, chronic low calcium may require medical attention and medication treatment. Once calcium demineralizes to restore blood serum levels, you may not fully recover lost bone mass. However, this can depend on the damage accrued in your bone and the presence of other medical conditions.

Maintain Energy and Prevent Low Calcium

A calcium-rich diet and getting your daily adequate intake is the best defense to prevent loss of energy or deficiency. The daily recommended calcium intake for adults is 1,000 to 1,200 mg. Dairy products are plentiful in calcium but you can also get your intakes met by eating broccoli, spinach, beans and tofu. Hydrate before exercise with a calcium-containing sports drink and properly hydrate with water during exercise. In addition to eating plenty of calcium-rich foods also balance your diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy to prevent deficiency of other nutrients that calcium depends on for proper blood serum levels.

References

Article reviewed by Tina Boyle Last updated on: Sep 10, 2011

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