Calcium Side Effects

Calcium is a very important nutrient that is required by our body for its daily and effective functioning. Calcium is needed by our systems for development of healthy teeth and bones. So also to fight against conditions like depression, colon cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases. And while calcium is also important for normal functioning of muscles and nerves, it is important to understand that calcium has to be administered in the right amounts. Too much or too little of calcium can lead to certain side effects.

Low Calcium Effects

When the body has low calcium levels, the condition is termed as hypocalcemia and is one of the most important side effects of low calcium levels.

This condition is marked by the emergence of several other related conditions that in turn can be taken as the side effects of calcium. Some of these conditions are.

• A person who suffers from low calcium levels will often experience high levels of irritation as one of the direct side effects of calcium deficiency.
• He person will have bouts of severe or mild depression and irritability.
• Weakness and fatigue will be experienced on a daily basis, by tat person.
• Muscle cramps and strains will also make its presence felt often in the person's life.
• The person will have brittle nails and very very fragile bones.
• There will also be cases of eye twitching and other eye infections which will be experienced by the person.
• The person (in this case a 'she') might suffer from severe PMS.
• They may develop bone diseases in their old age.
• There will be numbness and tingling of his/her toes and fingers.
• A person will suffer from severe constipation.
• Acute nausea, vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by a very poor appetite, will be another side effect of high calcium intake.
• There might be disorientation, confusion and excessive sleepiness that might be experienced by the person.
• There will instances of increased urination in the person.
• Severe and prolonged heart muscle contraction due to electrolyte disturbance will also present itself as one of the major calcium side effects.
• A person may experience high blood pressure.
• There might also be instances of a deformed spinal column.
• In case of females, she might be prone to a high risk pregnancy and even experience a pre-eclampsia of pregnancy.

These were some of the side effects of calcium deficiency or low levels of calcium in the body.

Excessive Calcium Effects

This condition of excessive calcium levels is called hypercalcemia. These following pointers will tell you what are the effects of too much calcium. Read on to know more as the discussion on side effects of calcium continues.

Excessive calcium include these side effects.

• A person will experience excessive drowsiness or sleepiness.
• There will be gas belching and flatulence experienced by the person.
• A person will have constipation.
• There will be frequent urination.
• Chances of developing kidney stones will increase.
• A person will have muscle weakness.
• A drop or sudden increase in the heart rate will be noticed.
• There will be muscle weakness.
• There will also be nausea and vomiting.
• The person might develop allergies in the form of hives, itching, swelling of throat, mouth and lips or wheezing.
• He/she might experience fever, excessive sweating and/or abdominal pain.
• There might be plaque in his/her arteries.

Now that you know what some of the calcium side effects are - of both, low and excessive levels, I hope you will maintain the right amount of the daily recommended intake and not have to face any adverse effects.