Calcium deficiency can be a leading cause of neck pain, especially if you have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease linked to calcium deficiency that causes brittle bones, fractures, poor posture and neck pain, according to National Institutes of Health online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus. Obtaining enough dietary calcium and using a calcium supplement in addition to vitamin D may help prevent some of the bone loss and associated symptoms of osteoporosis. Do not attempt to self-treat your symptoms. Consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
Importance of Calcium
Calcium is a crucial mineral for maintaining bone health and assisting with the function of your heart, lungs and muscles. For your body to properly absorb calcium, you require an adequate dietary intake of vitamin D , K, magnesium and phosphorus. The best source of calcium is through food, such as dairy products, cheese, tofu, leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, almonds and hazelnuts. However, sometimes, you may require additional calcium, especially if you run a high risk of calcium deficiency. Calcium supplements are available in many forms, such as calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. The average adult man or woman between the ages of 19 and 50 should have a daily intake of 1,000 milligrams of calcium. Men between 50 and 71 require 1,200 milligrams daily. If you're female and over the age of 51, you should increase your intake to 1,200 milligrams. Men and women over the age of 71 should aim for a daily calcium intake of 1,200 milligrams. If you suffer from osteoporosis, you also need 800 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D-3 to help your body with calcium absorption, according to Medline Plus.
Impact of Calcium Deficiency
A true calcium deficiency is not common. However, certain populations are at a higher risk of developing calcium inadequacy. Vegetarians, postmenopausal women, amenorrheic women and people with a lactose intolerance may have decreased dietary intakes of calcium. Calcium deficiency, referred to as hypocalcemia, doesn't generally produce short-term effects. However, in the long run, you have an increased chance of developing weak or brittle bones, bone fractures and possibly osteoporosis, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Additionally, a calcium deficiency can cause symptoms such as numbness in your fingers, muscle cramps or irregular heartbeats.
Neck Pain and Osteoporosis
Neck pain is a common symptom of osteoporosis. According to Medline Plus, neck pain associated with osteoporosis is typically caused by fractures of your spinal bones. These fractures, called compression fractures of your spine, are the result of your vertebra collapsing. A hunched-over or stooped position, referred to as a "dowager's hump" is frequently caused by these small fractures. Certain treatments, such as rest and medication, can help ease neck pain caused by osteoporosis. While increasing your intake of calcium won't stop bone loss, it may help prevent neck pain caused by additional fractures.
Clinical Evidence
A study published in the April 1995 issue of "The American Journal of Medicine" evaluated the effect of long-term calcium supplementation versus placebo on bone density in postmenopausal women. The results of this study found that calcium supplementation helped to reduce the rate of bone loss in study participants. Another study, published in the March 2004 "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research" found that calcium and vitamin D supplementation helped to reduce osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. This study examined the effects of 1,000 milligrams of elemental calcium as calcium carbonate and 400 international units of vitamin D-3 on 4957 participants. The researchers found that participants who received this treatment had a 16 percent reduction in fracture incidence rate.
References
- Medline Plus: Osteoporosis
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- "The American Journal of Medicine"; Long-Term Effects of Calcium Supplementation on Bone Loss and Fractures in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial; I. Reid et al.; April 1995
- "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research"; Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation Prevents Osteoporotic Fractures in Elderly Community Dwelling Residents: A Pragmatic Population-Based 3-Year Intervention Study; E. Larsen et al.; March 2004
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