Calcium and “the silent thief”
Calcium is a mineral that is important to the body for many reasons, the main being the formation of bone. Bone mass is constantly changing through a process called remodeling. In this process the body breaks down old bone and creates new.
Without adequate intake and absorption of calcium, bone mass may decrease and lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is often referred to as “the silent thief” because it gives almost no outward symptoms. In children this risk is very serious, as calcium loss can lead to stunted growth. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is necessary for calcium to be used by the body. People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are also at risk for a deficiency in vitamin D.
The body can not make its own calcium, so it must be taken in through foods. If it doesn’t have enough calcium, the body will break down its own bone in order to obtain this important mineral.
One reason for the loss of calcium is the medications that are often used to treat IBD symptoms. Prednisone, a corticosteriod drug, acts to break down bone and prevent new bone from being formed. It can also inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium. By both preventing the creation of bone mass and causing the body to lose calcium, long-term use of prednisone can lead to bone loss. Tests such as bone densitometry can be used to determine if there is any bone loss.
An inability to absorb enough calcium is a second reason why people with IBD may experience calcium deficiency. Malabsorption occurs mainly in Crohn’s disease where the inflammation is located in the small intestine. Calcium is absorbed in the small intestine, so people with ulcerative colitis that manifests in the large intestine may have better calcium absorption.
We all know the commercials – Got Milk? Sure, it’s funny, but lactose intolerance is no laughing matter for those with IBD. Many people with IBD also discover that they can not tolerate milk due to either lactose intolerance or food sensitivity. Check with your doctor to determine if a calcium supplement is necessary, and how much you should take daily.
Non-dairy foods that contain calcium include:
Kale
Collard greens
Bok choy
Broccoli
Oranges
Calcium-fortified foods (check labels)
Salmon
Shrimp
Molasses
Calcium Has Many Benefits For The Mouth
Important in general and oral health throughout life.
The therapeutic benefits of calcium has been getting much media attention lately. Dentists have long known the benefits of calcium, especially for women. Calcium is a key material in the formation of healthy teeth, which begin developing before birth. It is also important in overall well-being and continued oral health throughout life.
The alveolar (jaw) bone depends on calcium in order to maintain its form and function. Scientific studies have related low calcium intake over a long period of time with alveolar bone loss. Some research suggests that alveolar bone loss may be one of the first signs of osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones become weak, fracture-prone, and brittle.
Once teeth have been lost, alveolar bone loss accelerates. Loss of alveolar bone can cause problems with the fit of dentures, which cause the bone to be irritated and results in even more bone loss.
In addition to milk and other dairy products, other sources for calcium include canned sardines and salmon with edible bones, tofu, and dark-green leafy vegetables, especially collard greens and kale. In a study from Columbia University, it was shown calcium supplements can help soothe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Another study showed women who took 1200 milligrams of calcium a day reduced PMS symptoms by more than 50%. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, randomly assigned women to consume daily calcium carbonate. Neither the participants nor the physicians knew which women consumed the supplemental calcium. The study found that calcium carbonate reduced four key categories of symptoms – mood swings, bloating, food cravings, and pain. Low backache and depression were also reduced by taking calcium. Another reason to take calcium while promoting better dental health.
Updated July 2003