If there is no calcium deficiency, do not use drugs to supplement calcium. It is recommended to supplement calcium from food.

Calcium is the most abundant element in the human body, about 1,200 grams. It is also one of the most easily lacking elements. 99% of it forms bones and 1% is present in blood and soft tissues. Whether the human body is deficient in calcium is related to two reasons. The first is peak bone mass, that is, the calcium content when human bone mass reaches the highest bone mass in life around the age of 35, which is mainly determined by genetic factors, calcium supplementation factors and exercise factors; the second is calcium loss, which is determined by calcium supplementation. , loss amount and lifestyle habits, such as addiction to tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, cola, excessive salt intake, eating less meat or eating too much meat can lead to calcium loss.

The first point is, what are the symptoms of calcium deficiency?

1. As a parent, you should carefully observe whether your children are calcium deficient. Children generally have the following symptoms: When a child shows the following signs, it is best to go to the hospital to have the serum calcium content measured to determine whether the child is calcium deficient.

1. It is difficult to fall asleep, and it is even more difficult to enter a deep sleep state.

2. Sweating and crying after falling asleep, and easy to wake up.

3. I often feel irritable and restless during the day.

4. Teeth erupting late or the teeth are unevenly arranged.

5. Late toddler.

6. Paroxysmal abdominal pain, but no parasites can be found, and there is no indigestion, enteritis or other diseases. 7. Partial eclipse or anorexia.

8. The knuckles are obviously larger and the knuckles are thin and weak.

9. Symptoms of convulsions often occur.

10. The nails are gray or have white marks.

(1) Infants and young children. The 6-month-old Maomao is white and chubby. Recently, he often cries at night and his performance is not as lively as before. His mother took him to the hospital for examination. The doctor determined that Maomao is deficient in calcium. Why is this?

Because the child is growing rapidly. , and less outdoor activities and less sun exposure, often lead to insufficient calcium absorption and lead to various manifestations of calcium deficiency. Whether a child is deficient in calcium can be judged from the following aspects:

① It often manifests as excessive sweating, which has nothing to do with temperature, especially when the head sweats after falling asleep, causing the child's head to constantly rub against the pillow, and the back of the head can be seen after a long time. Pillow bald circle.

② Irritable and not interested in the surrounding environment. Sometimes parents find that their children are not as lively as before.

③ Night terrors, often waking up suddenly at night and crying incessantly.

④Children after 1 year old show late teething. Some children have not yet had teeth at 1 and a half years old. The front chimney door is delayed in closing and often does not close after 1 and a half years old.

⑤ The forehead is high and protruding, forming a square skull.

⑥ Beaded ribs are often found due to lack of vitamin D and costal cartilage hyperplasia. The cartilage hyperplasia of each rib is connected like beads, which often compresses the lungs, making children have poor ventilation and prone to bronchitis and pneumonia. .

When children have severe calcium deficiency, muscles and tendons will relax. If the abdominal wall muscles and intestinal wall muscles are relaxed, it can cause gas accumulation in the intestinal cavity and cause the abdomen to swell like a frog belly. If the tendons of the spine are loose, a hunchback may occur. Children learn to walk after 1 year old. If they are deficient in calcium, their bones will soften. When standing, the weight of the body will cause the lower limbs to bend. Some will show "X"-shaped legs, and some will show "O"-shaped legs, and fractures are prone to occur.

(2) Children. Calcium deficiency should be diagnosed when a child shows the following symptoms: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty entering a deep sleep, crying after falling asleep, prone to waking up, excessive sweating after falling asleep; paroxysmal abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramps, sternum pain, " X'-shaped legs, "O"-shaped legs, chicken breasts, gray nails or white marks; anorexia, partial eclipse; irritability and restlessness during the day; delayed mental development, late speech; late learning to walk, starting after 13 months; childbirth Late teeth, teeth appear after 10 months, the teeth are sparse, uneven, and not close together, and the teeth are black pointed or zigzag-shaped; the hair is sparse; the health is poor, and it is easy to catch colds.

P. Two major points, suggestions for calcium supplementation:

1. Do not follow advertisements. Increase your own health care knowledge and correctly understand calcium supplementation. Calcium product manufacturers often use celebrities as precursors to attract consumers. You need to make your own choices, and don’t be fooled by the various loud names of calcium supplement products. Remember that such commercial terms are purely hype and most do not exist in the field of nutrition.

2. Don’t listen to someone. The exaggerated publicity of some calcium products, such as some advertisements claiming "good deposition and fast absorption", makes people mistakenly believe that the body's absorption of calcium is a simple process. In fact, when calcium enters the human body, it must first enter the blood and then form calcium-containing cells. It then penetrates through the outermost hard layer of the bone through a complex process of change and is fixed into the bone inside. Another advertisement claims that its product's "particles are several times smaller than ordinary products." In fact, the size of the particles is just a physical change. It cannot essentially improve the body's absorption rate of calcium; currently, the body's absorption rate of calcium in calcium supplement products is only about 30%. In fact, there is no so-called "95%" absorption rate.

< p>3. Try to improve the diet structure to achieve the purpose of obtaining sufficient calcium from natural foods.

Among the daily foods at home, those containing more calcium include milk, cheese, eggs, soy products, kelp, seaweed, dried shrimps, sesame, hawthorn, marine fish, vegetables, etc., especially milk. Every 100 grams of fresh milk contains 120 mg of calcium. , if each person drinks 250 grams of milk per day, it can provide 300 mg of calcium; if everyone drinks 500 grams of milk per day, it can provide 600 mg of calcium; plus about 300 mg of calcium provided by other foods in the diet, it can be fully satisfied. Regarding the human body's need for calcium, it is worth noting that when eating these calcium-rich foods, you should avoid eating too much foods rich in phosphates, oxalic acid, and protein, so as not to affect the absorption of calcium.

4. The more expensive the calcium product, the better. You should choose it according to your own needs. There is not much difference in the quality of calcium products currently on the market. Moreover, different calcium products are suitable for different people. Calcium carbonate contains high net calcium content and high absorption rate. It is a traditional calcium supplement preparation, but it is not suitable for people with achlorhydria. Calcium phosphate contains high phosphorus, but is not suitable for people with chronic renal insufficiency. .

5. The more calcium the better, the more important thing is to see the absorption. Taking more than 200 milligrams of elemental calcium at a time reduces absorption.

6. Calcium supplementation for children should be based on dietary supplements, and special caution should be taken when taking calcium products. Children with weak gastrointestinal function should not choose calcium products with strong alkalinity, such as calcium carbonate, active calcium, etc.; children should not drink soda, carbonated drinks, etc. while taking calcium products to avoid reducing the absorption rate. To supplement calcium for children, we must first increase calcium-rich foods on the table. For example, milk is the best source of calcium supplement for children. 100 grams of milk contains about 120 mg of calcium, which is three times as much as human milk. The second is eel vertebrae, which not only contains high calcium content, but also has a calcium-phosphorus ratio that is very close to the calcium-phosphorus ratio of human bones. The bioavailability of calcium in the human body is higher than that of ordinary calcium raw materials and is easily absorbed by the body. In addition, various beans (especially soybeans and their products), lean meat, fruits, vegetables, and seafood (such as small fish, fish bones, shrimp skin, kelp, etc.) are good sources of calcium. In addition to letting children take calcium tablets, they should also be allowed to spend more time in the sun and regularly participate in outdoor sports activities to facilitate the body's full absorption and utilization of calcium. It should be noted that during the period of calcium supplementation, you should go to the hospital regularly to measure the serum calcium content to avoid blindly excessive calcium supplementation, which may cause adverse consequences. In addition, excessive intake of calcium products in children will inhibit the absorption of zinc. Therefore, calcium supplements for zinc-deficient children should be based on dietary supplements:

1. Drink more milk and soy milk. Japanese people used to be short, but now they are taller. It is said that it is related to the younger generation drinking milk.

2. Life must be regular, sleep must be adequate and regular, and it is necessary to ensure adequate sleep duration.

3. Shrimp skin is high in calcium, and carrots are rich in vitamins A and D. Soybeans and pig bones are often used to make soup (add some sour vinegar when stewing bone soup, so that the calcium in the bones can be released) ), put some dried shrimps when cooking. Carrots are fat-soluble and require more oil for frying.

4. Pay attention to your own health care, prevent diseases when they are not sick, and treat diseases early. Maintaining physical and mental health, enriching cultural and entertainment life, maintaining emotional stability, and being worry-free are beneficial to growth and development.

5. Eat snails and animal blood.

6. Eat more beans and other beans and their soy products (tofu, soy milk, etc.).

Note: First, eat smaller meals more often. If possible, feed the child an extra meal when he wakes up in the middle of the night; second, add a few drops of cod liver oil to the cooked porridge.

7. Let the baby go out for more activities and get more sunshine. Activities can strengthen muscles and bones and promote bone growth. Exposure to the sun converts cholesterol in the body into vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium. Thereby promoting the baby to grow taller.

7. When taking calcium products with added vitamin D, beware of accumulation poisoning. Many consumers believe that calcium supplements can only be combined with vitamin D. This is a misunderstanding. Due to the widespread individual differences in the human body, not all people are deficient in both calcium and vitamin D at the same time. Some people take vitamin D for a long time. On the contrary, it will inhibit the formation of the body's own vitamin D, or cause excessive intake of vitamin D and accumulation of poisoning. The symptoms of poisoning are liver and kidney function damage and soft tissue calcification caused by hypercalcemia, which are manifested as loss of appetite, slow reaction, and heart rhythm. Inconsistency, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, polydipsia and polyuria, constipation, etc.

8. Do not take active calcium for a long time. Active calcium is a calcium mixture extracted from aquatic shells such as oyster shells through high-temperature and low-heating. Most of them are calcium hydroxide. It contains high heavy metal indicators and is highly corrosive. Someone once did an experiment in which active calcium was administered to mice, which resulted in death. After autopsy, it was found that the intestines were congested. Therefore, taking larger doses of active calcium often causes adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. It can be seen that long-term use of active calcium can also reduce the normal function of the stomach.

9. Calcium preparations are best taken between meals. Generally, plant foods contain more fatty acids and oxalic acids, which can combine with calcium ions to form insoluble calcium salts, which cannot be used by the body and excreted from the body. Animal foods contain a lot of fat, and excess fatty acids can combine with calcium ions to form calcium foci, which cannot be used by the human body. Due to the above two reasons, taking calcium preparations during meals will reduce the body's absorption rate of calcium and cause waste. Therefore, only taking calcium preparations between meals can ensure that calcium is better utilized.

The third major point is that medicinal supplements are not as good as dietary supplements.

The following are the calcium contents of several foods for you to choose from in daily life:

1. Milk. 250 grams of milk contains 300 mg of calcium. It also contains a variety of amino acids, lactic acid, minerals and vitamins to promote the digestion and absorption of calcium. Moreover, the calcium in milk is easier for the human body to absorb. Therefore, milk should be the main food for daily calcium supplementation. Other dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and milk tablets, are good sources of calcium. Health Tips: You also need to be selective when drinking milk in summer

2. Kelp and dried shrimps. Kelp and dried shrimps are high-calcium seafood. Eating 25 grams a day can supplement 300 mg of calcium. And they also reduce blood lipids and prevent atherosclerosis.

It is a good delicacy to cook kelp and meat together or to eat them cold. The calcium content in dried shrimps is higher, with 25 grams of dried shrimps containing 500 mg of calcium. Therefore, using dried shrimps to make soup or stuffing is a good choice for daily calcium supplementation.

Friendly reminder: People who are prone to allergies to seafood should eat with caution.

3. Soy products. Soybeans are a high-protein food and are also high in calcium. 500 grams of soy milk contains 120 mg of calcium, and 150 grams of tofu contains 500 mg of calcium. Other soy products are also good calcium supplements.

Friendly reminder: Soy milk needs to be boiled 7 times before it can be eaten. Tofu cannot be eaten with certain vegetables, such as spinach. Spinach contains oxalic acid, which can combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate conjugates, which hinders the body's absorption of calcium. Therefore, tofu and other soy products should not be cooked with spinach. However, if soy products are cooked with meat, they will be delicious and nutritious.

4. Animal bones. More than 80% of animal bones are calcium, but they are insoluble in water and difficult to absorb. Therefore, when making food, you can crush them in advance, add vinegar and cook them slowly over a slow fire. When eating, remove the floating oil and add some green vegetables to make a delicious soup.

Friendly reminder: Fish bones can also supplement calcium, but you must pay attention to choosing the appropriate method. Dry-fried fish and braised fish can soften the fish bones, making it easier to absorb calcium, and can be eaten directly.

5. Vegetables. There are also many high-calcium varieties in vegetables. 100 grams of potherb mustard contains 230 mg of calcium; Chinese cabbage, rapeseed, fennel, coriander, celery, etc. also contain about 150 mg of calcium per 100 grams.

The fourth major point is how to choose calcium supplements

1. At present, there are more than 400 kinds of calcium supplements in my country, including domestic and imported ones. The specific choice of calcium tablets is decided by the parties involved. .

1. Calcium carbonate: It contains high calcium content, has few side effects, is cheap, and has a high absorption rate of up to 40%. It is similar to milk and is a calcium preparation that is easily accepted and widely used by people across the country.

2. Calcium lactate: It is one of the traditional calcium supplements in my country. Its advantage is that it is easy to dissolve, but its disadvantage is that it has low calcium content. Such preparations include: calcium lactate, containing 13% calcium; calcium gluconate, containing 9% calcium. After being made into tablets, the content is even lower. To achieve the daily supplement of 1000 mg of calcium for adults, too many tablets need to be taken. This is why people Hard to accept.

3. Calcium ammonium phosphate: It is a commonly used calcium supplement in Japan. It contains 23.3% calcium, which is relatively high. It is also produced by Chengdu Pharmaceutical Factory in my country. Each tablet contains 70 mg of calcium. The price is moderate compared to medicines, but its disadvantage is that the tablets are difficult to disintegrate and absorb. In addition, it contains high phosphorus, which is harmful to people with renal dysfunction, so it is rarely used.

4. Calcium citrate: The calcium content is 21.1%. It has good water solubility and better bioavailability than calcium phosphate. Its absorption does not depend on gastric acid. It has effervescent tablets and is more suitable for the elderly. Take.

5. Active calcium: It is a calcium mixture formed by calcining biological calcium (shellfish) at high temperature. It has high calcium content, but its aqueous solution is strongly alkaline and highly irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. It is not suitable for the elderly with gastric acid. Those who lack. Taking it with food can reduce gastrointestinal irritation.

6. Organic calcium: Amino acid calcium and proteinaceous calcium have begun to be used in my country.

2. Analysis of calcium supplement brands

(1) Calcium supplement products of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Gai currently occupies half of the 3 billion calcium supplement market and is currently the leading brand in the calcium supplement market. The new mid-cap oral liquid is positioned in the children's market, and the high-cap tablets are positioned in the elderly market. It is currently the leading brand in the calcium supplement market.

(2) Calcium D

Produced by Suzhou Lida, its market share ranks first in the professional market (hospital channel), which contributes to its product sales in the retail market Provides strong motivation. At present, advertising appeals in the OTC market are mainly targeted at women.

(3) Leli

Produced by the American Miningwei Company, it entered the Chinese market in 1996 and currently has annual sales of 500 million. The good curative effect has created strong product power, gained good reputation and repeated purchases from consumers.

(4) Juneng Calcium

Beijing Juneng Company was the first to develop the calcium agent market after Gaitianli. Its product Juneng Calcium Oral Liquid is a third-generation calcium supplement product, which is made from L-calcium threonate, a deep-processed vitamin C product, as the main raw material.

(5) Longmu Zhuanggu Granules

Produced by Wuhan Jianmin, the product is a mixture of Chinese and Western medicine. In the mid-1990s, it was the number one brand in the calcium supplement market.

The product is targeted at children, and it also has the effect of regulating the spleen and stomach, so it is loved by some professionals. Because the product has been on the market for a long time, the market penetration is relatively sufficient and it has a group of loyal consumers.

(6) Gaitianli

Forged from animal shells, it is a pioneer in China's calcium supplement market and its products are positioned in the children's market.

(7), Alcalcium

Produced by Shanghai Huahong Biological Products Co., Ltd. It is L-calcium lactate which is made from marine organisms and is pollution-free, well absorbable and has no side effects. This product is safe and non-toxic, has a left-handed structure and is compatible with the human body. Contains a variety of trace elements that are beneficial to the human body; the calcium supplement effect is better than calcium carbonate.

3. Choose “four high and one low” calcium. The criteria for selecting calcium supplement products are to see whether it has the following five characteristics:

1. High calcium content;

2. High solubility (water solubility);

3. High intestinal absorption;

4. Good bioavailability;

5. Low heavy metal content; that is, "four high and one low".

Under normal calcium nutrition, the absorption rate is generally 40%. If calcium nutrition is poor, the absorption rate may reach 75 to 85%. There is no calcium preparation that has a particularly high absorption rate.

In fact, what we need is calcium supplement, which is the calcium element in various calcium preparations rather than the preparation itself. Therefore, when choosing a calcium preparation, we must first look at the percentage of calcium in the preparation. For example: if you want to supplement 600mg of calcium, you only need 1500mg of calcium carbonate, 2717mg of calcium citrate, 4615mg of calcium lactate, 6667mg of calcium gluconate, and more than 5000mg of various amino acid calcium.

In addition, active calcium is made from the shells of offshore oysters, mussels, shellfish, etc. that have been activated at high temperatures and then ground into fine particles. This coastal mollusk has a strong adsorption capacity and can adsorb pollutants in the near sea, such as lead, mercury and other heavy metals. Therefore, this kind of active calcium contains heavy metals, and the pH value is very high and alkaline, which may cause gastrointestinal reactions after taking it.