Yes, excess calcium can be harmful to health.
Having too much calcium in the blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia, can lead to various health problems. According to the provided reference, excess calcium can weaken bones and create kidney stones. Furthermore, it can affect the heart and brain.
Potential Problems Caused by Excess Calcium:
- Weakened Bones: Counterintuitively, too much calcium in the blood can paradoxically weaken bones.
- Kidney Stones: Excess calcium is a major component of many types of kidney stones.
- Heart Issues: Hypercalcemia can interfere with the normal electrical activity of the heart.
- Brain Problems: Cognitive dysfunction and neurological symptoms may occur.
Causes of Hypercalcemia:
The most common cause of hypercalcemia is overactivity of one or more of the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands, located in the neck near the thyroid gland, regulate calcium levels in the blood. When these glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, it can lead to elevated calcium levels.
