Why Calcium can’t wait!

Every day, our body relies on calcium to perform several important functions such as body movement, nerve signalling and making strong bones. But what happens when levels of these nutrients in the body quietly run low? In India, nutrient deficiencies are widespread. More than 70% of Indians consume inadequate calcium @ . And contributing factors often include changing dietary habits and limited sun exposure, which is necessary for Vitamin D absorption, leading to a twin deficiency of Calcium and Vitamin D. Over time, this silent nutritional intake gap can increase the risk of weakens bones and related conditions such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures - among men, women and the elderly. But it isn’t just bones. Low Calcium and Vitamin D impacts the whole body, from muscle cramps, brittle nails, and dental issues to irregular heart rhythms and impaired insulin function. Disclaimer: @ Harinarayan CV et al.. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Apr 6;12:583654. Calcium Loss is a Silent Epidemic In India, we’re facing an invisible health crisis - most people have a lower intake of dietary calcium on a daily basis. According to Lancet Global Health, 2024 *1 , men and women, especially between the ages of 10 to 30 already found to have low calcium intake, missing the critical window to build strong bones. Remember, calcium is required at every stage of life, right from infancy to old age. The recommended daily calcium intake is 1000 mg/day for most adults, and 1200 mg/day for women over 50 and men over 70, yet diets may fall far below these levels. Worryingly, over 80% of Indians are also Vitamin D deficient, with community-based studies showing prevalence between 50-94% depending on age and location # . Adding to this, hormonal changes after menopause makes women vulnerable. Estrogen plays a key role in regulating bone turnover; when levels drop, bone resorption (removal of old bone) accelerates. Women can lose up to 50% of trabecular (spongy) bone and 30% of cortical (dense) bone in their lifetime, with nearly half of this loss occurring in the first 10 years after menopause. *8 What makes this even more alarming is that after attaining peak bone mass (typically in the late 20s), we begin to lose approximately 1% of bone mass every year. *3 Combined with sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices the risk multiplies $ . Disclaimer: # Aparna P, Muthathal S, Nongkynrih B, Gupta SK. Vitamin D deficiency in India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018 Mar-Apr;7(2):324-330; $ Zhou J et al.. Frailty Status, Sedentary Behaviors, and Risk of Incident Bone Fractures. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2024 Sep 1;79(9):glae186. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glae186. Don’t ignore the symptoms and listen to your body. If your body doesn’t get enough, your body will pull it from your bones making them weak and fragile overtime. So, it is essential you get enough calcium and vitamin D. Support of your bones with Shelcal500. Start your journey with Shelcal500 Your Daily Dose of Calcium for Bone Health. Building strong...

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