Calcium, Vitamin D and Physical and Mental Health

Calcium, Vitamin D and Physical and Mental Health

Eggshells contain calcium, animal bones contain calcium, and human bones contain calcium and phosphorus. There is no shortage of calcium-containing substances in nature, such as calcium is the main component of stone and gypsum, but the human body sometimes lacks calcium. Calcium deficiency can cause psychological discomfort such as restlessness, temper tantrums, and increased mental stress.

Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. Vitamin D deficiency can easily cause rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D deficiency may also cause or aggravate cardiovascular disease, muscle weakness, diabetes, tumors, and autoimmune diseases. We know that vitamin D is a derivative of cyclopentane polyhydrogen phenanthrene ring. Adults need about 25 μg (micrograms) per day, and children need almost the same amount as adults.

Although direct effects of vitamin D on nerve tissue are rare, hypocalcemia can cause lowered thresholds of neurological excitation, hand and foot cramps, convulsions, and skeletal development disorders, which can sometimes affect the development of the brain and spinal cord in children. On the other hand, excessive intake of vitamin D can also cause calcium and phosphorus regulation disorders, which are mainly manifested as symptoms of hypercalcemia, such as fatigue, dizziness, renal insufficiency or azotemia. Some people have also reported stupor and mental confusion. Therefore, vitamin D needs to be supplemented in moderation, and the body needs to maintain a balance of trace elements.

If you get enough vitamin D and calcium, you can avoid restlessness and prevent various diseases caused by mental stress.

Calcium can inhibit excessive feelings of stress

People have long known that calcium has a calming effect and is an important substance that inhibits the production of stress.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners often prescribe calcium-rich medicines such as oysters (oyster shells) and dragon bones (fossilized animal bones) to sensitive patients whose minds are easily affected.

In the West, when people are too nervous to fall asleep, they will drink a glass of hot milk and fall asleep immediately.

The above examples are all experiences people have gained in practice. Although they have not yet been scientifically proven, some people have done several experiments to prove that calcium has the effect of calming the nerves and preventing stress.

Among them, the research on "stress proteins" is worth mentioning. The so-called "stress proteins" refer to a substance produced in cells as an anti-stress substance when physiological stress such as heat, light, radiation and external force increases. When the number of such substances in cells increases, the body's resistance to stress will be enhanced, which can reduce the damage caused by stress.

Calcium plays a very important role in the production of this stress protein. In fact, when the pressure caused by heat and external forces on the cell increases, it is calcium that transmits this information in the cell. The one who transmits the information to the cell is called the "first messenger", and the "second messenger" that transmits the information in the cell includes calcium.

When the information is transmitted to the cells, many enzymes in the cells begin to activate and start to produce various necessary substances. In this process, calcium also plays a very important role. The calcium in the cells is stored in a "calcium warehouse". When the calcium comes out of the warehouse and becomes functional calcium in the cells, the movement of the cells becomes active.

Therefore, calcium is very important to resist the physiological stress that can lead to autonomic nervous system disorders.

It is not clear what changes will occur in what cells when mental stress increases, but it is conceivable that cells affected by mental stress will also undergo the same defensive reaction, so taking in enough calcium is essential to reducing mental stress.

When calcium is deficient, movement becomes abnormal

Calcium not only plays a very important role in the process of transmitting information, but also has a unique effect in calming nervous excitement.

Animal experiments have been conducted to investigate the effects of calcium deficiency. When mice are fed calcium-deficient food for a long time, they breathe rapidly, become aggressive, and behave abnormally. However, when calcium is supplemented to these mice, their temperament becomes gentler and their behavior becomes normal.

What is that person like? There is such an experiment in the UK. The diet of 17 bad girls was investigated and it was found that they all lacked various minerals, mainly calcium, which led to general weakness, cold-bloodedness, rudeness and irresponsibility.

After they were given a nutritionally balanced diet, their personalities began to change, their rebelliousness also weakened, and they were no longer prone to fighting or making trouble. They used to be listless in doing anything, but now they can settle down and start to have an interest in life. Experts believe that this is because the addition of sufficient calcium to their food has caused this change.

In short, when calcium is deficient, animals will become restless and abnormal in their activities. Humans will also become mentally unstable and act violently. In this mental state, if something unpleasant or worrying happens, the pressure will be greater. However, if you can take in enough calcium, you will be mentally stable, not lose your temper, and be able to remain calm in the face of things, and the mental stress will be reduced accordingly.

At the same time, excessively restricting calcium intake may increase the risk of kidney stones, especially when eaten with spinach.

Calcium is abundant in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, soy products such as tofu, seaweed such as hijiki and nori, green vegetables such as rapeseed, dried radish slices, dried fish, sun-dried sardines, and other small fish. You can eat more green, healthy, calcium-rich foods in your daily diet.

Of course, stress needs to be regulated. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin D and calcium, as well as deep breathing, relaxation training, meditation, mindfulness, Morita therapy, positive psychological intervention, etc. can all go hand in hand with dietary adjustment.