Calcium Deficiency

What Does It Mean?

Calcium deficiency occurs when serum calcium levels are too low to support proper bone health, muscle function, nerve transmission, and cardiovascular activity. Calcium is a vital mineral necessary for bone density, muscle contractions, and enzymatic reactions. Functional medicine focuses on optimizing calcium intake, improving absorption, and addressing underlying causes of calcium depletion.

How Did We Get There?

Root Causes:

• Low Dietary Intake – Insufficient calcium consumption from dairy, leafy greens, or fortified foods.

• Vitamin D Deficiency – Inhibits calcium absorption and regulation.

• Parathyroid Dysfunction (Low PTH or Hypoparathyroidism) – Leads to poor calcium balance.

• Magnesium Deficiency – Magnesium is essential for calcium metabolism and bone strength.

• High Phosphorus Intake (Processed Foods, Sodas) – Excess phosphorus competes with calcium absorption.

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – Impairs calcium filtration and reabsorption.

• Poor Gut Health & Malabsorption (Celiac, IBS, SIBO) – Reduces intestinal calcium uptake.

• High Stress & Cortisol Levels – Can leach calcium from bones, increasing deficiency risk.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Muscle cramps, spasms, and twitching

• Brittle nails and weakened bones (osteopenia, osteoporosis)

• Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes

• Fatigue and frequent bone fractures

• Tooth decay and gum disease

• Memory loss and difficulty concentrating

• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations

Lab Test Findings

Lab Test Name	Expected Changes	Optimal Range
Calcium	Decreased	8.90-9.50 mg/dL

How Do We Treat It?

Functional Medicine Approach:

The goal is to restore calcium levels, optimize absorption, and support overall bone and cardiovascular health.

Supplement Protocol

Supplement	Function	Dosage & Frequency
OsteoPrev	Provides calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and K2 to support bone health	2 capsules with food, daily

Additional Lifestyle Interventions:

• Increase Dietary Calcium Intake – Consume leafy greens, almonds, sesame seeds, and dairy products.

• Get Sunlight Exposure for Vitamin D – Essential for calcium absorption.

• Reduce Processed Foods & Phosphoric Acid (Sodas) – Lowers calcium depletion risk.

• Optimize Gut Health – Address dysbiosis, leaky gut, and malabsorption.

• Engage in Weight-Bearing Exercises – Strengthens bones and supports calcium retention.