Calcium is especially important for children during growth because it is one of the building blocks for teeth and bones: around 99% of the calcium in the human body is found there. Without enough calcium, the body cannot mineralize (harden) bones. A long-term calcium deficiency in children can therefore cause bones to become less stable. In children, this condition is called rickets; in adults, it is called osteomalacia.
In children, calcium needs increase with age, and in adults—including pregnant and breastfeeding women—they are around 1,000 mg per day. The highest calcium requirement is in teenagers during growth between 13 and 19 years of age, at 1,200 mg per day. How well calcium can contribute to bone mineralization also depends on other nutrients such as vitamin D and phosphate, which is why attention should also be paid to vitamin D intake. Calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as sufficient physical activity, also play a major role in the development of osteoporosis, which makes bone fractures more likely in old age.
In addition to its role in stabilizing bones, calcium is also involved in many other processes in the body. For example, calcium ions are used to transmit signals between nerve cells and help muscles contract.
While specific antihistamines are now available for many allergies, calcium is still used in some cases—for example, for sun allergy and certain forms of hives (urticaria). Especially for children with sun allergy, medical advice should be sought beforehand.
Calcium also plays a role in regulating blood pressure. A 2022 review study concluded that taking calcium supplements under medical supervision lowered blood pressure. This was particularly effective in people who previously had a very low dietary calcium intake. The effect was also seen in pregnant women, so calcium supplementation could help treat so-called hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in the future. Any such use of calcium should always be discussed with a doctor, possibly after checking calcium levels.
Hypocalcemia refers to a calcium level in the blood that is too low, and hypercalcemia refers to calcium levels that are too high. In principle, hypercalcemia results from increased calcium intake, reduced excretion via the kidneys, or increased release of calcium from the bones. If blood calcium levels are too low, the cause is accordingly excessive excretion of the mineral in the urine, insufficient release from the bones, or insufficient intake from food.
Both can occur in newborns, but low calcium levels are much more common. They occur particularly often in the first two days of life in premature babies and in newborns of diabetic mothers. If the pregnant woman has abnormally high calcium levels (i.e., hypercalcemia), this can suppress the newborn’s secretion of calcium from the bones into the bloodstream after birth. Low calcium levels are also not uncommon in children with complications before or after birth. While the early form of hypocalcemia is often symptom-free, it usually shows up between the fourth and 28th day of life as seizures. Giving phosphate-rich foods such as cow’s milk can also trigger hypocalcemia in a baby.
Medical treatment usually focuses on the cause of the abnormal calcium level. If symptoms are present, calcium and/or vitamin D may also be given in the case of a deficiency, for example if there is a vitamin D deficiency. In cases of hypercalcemia, medication and increased fluid intake may be used.
Liquid Calcium with Magnesium
*Calcium and vitamin D are needed for healthy growth and bone development in children. Additionally, magnesium, vitamin K, and zinc support the maintenance of healthy bones.
Milk and dairy products, in particular, provide plenty of calcium. Some green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and arugula, as well as mineral water with a calcium content above 150 mg/l, are also suitable for increasing the calcium content of your diet.
Calcium consumed through food does not normally lead to elevated calcium levels, as excess calcium is excreted via the kidneys. However, a persistently high intake of vitamin D, as well as directly taking high-dose supplements, can lead to an increased calcium level in the blood.
In addition to excessive calcium intake, certain health issues such as congenital metabolic disorders or taking medications such as diuretics can lead to elevated calcium levels in the blood. With an overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism), calcium in the blood serum rises either due to increased release of the mineral from bone tissue or reduced calcium excretion via the kidneys.
Many factors influence how calcium is absorbed from food and how it works in the human body. For bone health alone, other nutrients such as vitamin D, as well as sufficient physical activity, are also important. A healthy lifestyle supports the effectiveness of individual minerals and vitamins.
