Why Iron and Calcium Deficiency are Common among Indian Women

These days, the iron and calcium deficiency have become widespread nutritional concerns that affect women belonging to different age groups in India. Many women face weakness, tiredness, pain in the bones and other related symptoms. They fail to understand the real nutritional causes behind these issues.

However, the problem is not limited to the women of poor households. This is because nowadays both working and educated women also face these issues as well.

Lack of nutritional awareness has increased the risk over the years along with changing food habits and busy lifestyles. That is why it is important to understand the reasons behind iron and calcium deficiency for improving long-term women's health and overall quality of life.

What Is Iron Deficiency and Why Does the Body Need Iron

An iron deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce the healthy red blood cells properly. It plays a very important role in carrying the oxygen from the lungs to all the other parts of the body through the blood.

Our bodies can start feeling weak and breathless and become unable to perform the daily tasks properly. Many Indian women lose iron regularly due to their monthly menstruation. However, they do not replenish it through a proper diet.

On top of that, low intake of the iron-rich foods can lead to anaemia. It is one of the most common health problems among Indian women nowadays. If left undiagnosed, it can lead to other more serious health issues in women.

What Is Calcium Deficiency and Its Role in Women's Health

The deficiency of calcium occurs when the body does not receive enough calcium to maintain strong bones and teeth. It is also important for:

• Muscle movement
• Nerve functions
• Proper heartbeat regulation

Consequently, women need more calcium as compared to men. Especially during their:

• Teenage years
• Pregnancy
• After menopause

The chances of the bones becoming weak increase when the calcium intake remains low for a long time. Many women ignore the early signs of calcium deficiency. As a result, it slowly increases the risk of osteoporosis (where your bones become weak and are likely to fracture or even break) and joint-related problems later in life.

Dietary Habits That Increase Deficiency Risks

We cannot ignore the fact that dietary habits play a major role in increasing the iron and calcium deficiency among Indian women. Many women depend heavily on food items that lack essential nutrients. Examples of these food items are:

• Polished rice
• Refined wheat
• Packaged foods

The traditional iron-rich foods like millets, leafy vegetables and legumes are often consumed in small quantities which do not fulfil the iron deficiency in the body. Consuming excessive tea and coffee also reduces the absorption of iron and makes it worse. On the other hand, calcium-rich foods like milk, curd and sesame seeds are skipped due to lactose intolerance or dietary myths.  

Impact of Menstruation, Pregnancy, and Motherhood

Everyone knows that women experience unique biological changes that increase their nutritional requirements significantly.

• Most importantly, every woman loses iron every month during menstruation. It needs to be compensated through a proper diet or nutritional supplements (if needed).
• Then comes the pregnancy stage which increases the demand for both iron and calcium to support the growing baby and the mother’s body.
• Later comes the breastfeeding stage where mothers also lose other important nutrients if their diet is not balanced properly.

When these stages are not supported with proper nutrition, the iron and calcium deficiency becomes more severe and affects the long-term health of women.

Lifestyle Factors and Limited Health Awareness

Modern lifestyle patterns have contributed heavily to the rising deficiency of iron and calcium among Indian women. Many women skip their meals due to:

• Work pressure
• Household duties
• Weight management concerns

Physical inactivity and lack of sunlight exposure also affect the vitamin D levels which further affects the absorption of calcium in their bodies. Moreover, regular health check-ups are often ignored until some serious symptoms appear. In continuity, social responsibilities and prioritising the family's needs over personal health also prevent women from focusing on their nutritional requirements.

Health Problems caused by Long-Term Deficiency

If left untreated, then long term iron and calcium deficiency leads to several serious health problems.

• Severe iron deficiency can cause chronic fatigue, poor immunity, hair loss and reduced concentration levels.
• Also, severe calcium deficiency increases the risk of bone fractures, back pain and stiffness in the joints.

In older women, it may lead to osteoporosis which can affect their mobility and independence. These conditions reduce the work productivity of women and also affect their emotional well-being which makes early prevention extremely important.

Importance of Balanced Nutrition and Preventive Care

It requires consistent dietary improvements and health awareness to prevent iron and calcium deficiency. The Indian women need to start consuming:

• Leafy vegetables
• Fruits
• Pulses
• Dairy products etc

They can help them maintain proper nutrient levels in their bodies. Furthermore, regular health check-ups and blood tests help to detect deficiencies at an early stage before they turn into serious complications.

On top of it, professional medical guidance corrects the supplementation needs when dietary intake is not sufficient. Indian women can protect their health and lead stronger, more active lives by focusing on balancing their nutritional needs.

Conclusion

The iron and calcium deficiency in Indian women may sound normal but it can create serious health-related issues over time if left ignored. The reason is that women's bodies go through many changes and need proper nutrition to stay healthy. Remember that iron and calcium supplements work differently inside the body and only medical advice can help maintain the correct levels.

The medical professionals can identify the real cause of weakness or bone-related issues through proper testing. When women take these deficiencies seriously, they protect themselves from weakness, bone problems and future health-related risks. The safest choice is always to follow a nutritious diet, take supplements only when advised and consult a doctor to maintain good health.