Recently, the tendency to live more in the city, to spend less time in the open sun, to have less sunlight in apartments, to do more caesarean section, to use more of artificial foods have caused an increase in the disease named rickets. Even pregnant women spend very little time in the open air under the sun and tend to eat calcium-deficient foods.
When a child is in the sun for 2 hours a day, he/she is not likely to get rickets because sunlight increases the synthesis of vitamin D in the body. As a result of vitamin D deficiency, it is difficult to absorb calcium in the intestine. Initially, the amount of calcium in the blood decreases, and as a result of the lack of vitamin D, the thyroid gland begins to work harder to regulate the hormonal balance. As a result, the calcium in the bones enters the bloodstream, the amount of calcium in the urine increases, and it begins to settle in the kidneys.
Kidney function becomes impaired, and calcium leaching from the bone causes the bones to bend slowly. Symptoms include crooked teeth and decay, bending of the legs and ribs, and changes in the shape of the head. Impairment of calcium phosphorus metabolism in the body results in increased acidity.
Rickets is a serious disease. It should be treated before the symptoms increase. The symptoms of rickets decrease in summer, but increase in winter.
During pregnancy, women should walk outdoors every day, eat a lot of ocean fish, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and eat calcium-rich dairy products, such as yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese and cheese. Honey and apple cider vinegar, eggs and meat should also be in the diet.
Fish oil is very useful for children; it can be taken depending on age. For example, babies can be given 0.5-1 teaspoon per day. One of the main issues is breastfeeding.
Country egg yolk is rich in calcium. Natural fruit juices of different composition are also rich in calcium; it is necessary to use mainly pumpkin and carrot juices. It is also recommended to mix ground eggshells in children’s meals from time to time.
Giving children natural foods prevents them from hypovitaminosis D because the intestines get as much vitamin D as the body needs. Too much vitamin D can also lead to serious complications. Since the ossification in these children is more than normal, the brain stops developing, calcium deposits in the kidneys, constipation develops and the blood pressure rises, and these children develop a disease called ‘elfin face syndrome’ (‘Williams Syndrome’).
Calcium and vitamin D deficiency occurs not only in children but also in adults. Therefore, it is advisable to eat foods rich in calcium. Exercising regularly makes it easier to absorb calcium.
Eating Arabic dates on an empty stomach in the morning satisfies the need for calcium. Dried figs and apricots are also rich in calcium.
It is useful to drink apple vinegar and honey syrup, kefir and yogurt. Vegetable salads can also meet the need for calcium to some extent. For example, grate cabbage, carrots and beets mix them together. Add olive oil and apple vinegar and eat them every day before meals.
Those over the age of 50 should strictly follow these tips.
Calcium paste is prepared as follows:
- Algarroba fruit – 100 grams
- Country egg shell powder – 50 grams
- Date palm pollen (stamens) – 50 grams
- Ambrosia (if not available, pollen) – 50 grams
- Christ’s thorn or chestnut honey – 1 kg
- Mulberry or algarroba bakmaz – 0.5 kg
Grind rhe herbs in a coffee grinder and mix them well with honey and bakmaz.
It is recommended that adults take a teaspoon 3 times a day before meals, and children 3 and a half teaspoon 3 times a day. Those who cannot eat it can mix it with water and drink.
The use of laminaria is also useful in the treatment and prevention of rickets and osteoporosis. Chop up laminaria and salt it slightly. It can be added to salads and eaten or mixed with water and drunk.