Mineral balance in the body can tell us how stressed the body has been for how long. Stress is a major driver of digestive issues and can prevent the body from healing.
The calcium shell is an example of how our body uses minerals to protect us from stress and shield us from perceived threats. Protection and survival is always the body’s first priority, but this protection can have unwanted side effects.
Understanding, identifying and breaking up the calcium shell is incredibly important for long term health and healing.
What is the calcium shell?
The calcium shell, is a sign of emotional overwhelm and trauma. It is a coping mechanism where the person affected starts building a mineral shell in their body to cocoon and shield themselves from the outside threats. A past or current experience, often unprocessed, is creating a feeling of not being safe to interact, be yourself and socialize.
It often includes behaviors like isolating oneself at home. This is an extreme version of a homebody type that feels best when avoiding contact with the outside world.
There is a physical manifestation to this state.
The body deposits calcium from food or supplements into soft tissues like the joints, kidneys, heart and brain, instead of the teeth and bones where it belongs. This can cause symptoms or diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia and if it builds up in the arteries it can cause heart disease.
Calcium deposited in the soft tissue, where it doesn’t belong, may cause inflammation and symptoms such as hyperthyroid, poor dental health, fibromyalgia, arthritis, kidney stones, bone spurs, premature graying, chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain and poor circulation.
The emotional symptoms of a calcium shell is apathy, disconnection, depression, brain fog, numbness and withdrawal.
A calcium shell is identified as is anything over 165 on the hair tissue mineral analysis test. I order this test for clients to help them find the underlying causes for healing resistance. This is when healing interventions don’t seem to work.
Calcium is a very calming mineral and slows everything down. A calcium shell will slow metabolism (hello weight gain, constipation and motility issues) and put the nervous system into a freeze state.
In this protective state, the body actually builds a hard shell made from calcium. It amazes me that the body has this cocooning response against threats. But walling yourself off for protection has many downsides, it deadens emotions, and creates a numb, trapped state focused on survival. There is no thriving with a calcium shell. Only retreat.
With unprocessed trauma, the protection of the calcium shell may provide a sense of normalcy, but it’s a very unhealthy coping mechanism. And may cause physical consequences/symptoms.
When deep distress and overwhelm is kept buried inside, emotional and physical healing will be impaired.
When calcium does not go to the right place (bones and teeth), the body displays signs of calcium deficiency, even though there is an overload.
Osteoporosis, osteopenia and dental issues can be a results of the body protecting itself after massive stress. There are much healthier ways to cope and better ways to protect oneself. But the calcium shell will persist unless it is addressed and broken up.
Causes of calcium shell
Chronic stress and unprocessed trauma are the top causes of a calcium shell.
A less common cause is taking minerals or supplements incorrectly.
Vitamin D can push up calcium levels in the body, increasing the chances of a calcium shell developing. Also many multivitamin supplements contains calcium and will exacerbate the problem.
A diet that is high in calcium can also contribute to a calcium shell, especially if someone is trying to eat for bone health to fight osteoporosis. Those with osteoporosis try to increase their calcium intake but if a calcium shell is present, this will make it worse.
Addressing the calcium shell
Breaking up a calcium shell is done very slowly because a lot of emotional symptoms can arise. It is advised to work with a skilled practitioner to do this.
Using vitamin K2 in the MK-7 form, without vitamin D, is one way to start breaking up the shell and getting calcium back into the bones. Iodine and vitamin A also help.
But addressing the stress and trauma that created the shell will bring the best results. We need to feel safe outside of our shells. To go out into the world with curiosity and trust.
This process takes time, courage and support. But it can be the difference between a life well lived, and one spent hiding.
Not a lot of people know about the calcium shell, and it can cause symptoms like constipation, sugar cravings, hormonal imbalances, brain fog, anxiety, cold hands and feet, fibroids and the list goes on.
As the shell is broken up and the calcium moves back into the bone, it can cause increased joint pain, migraines and heighten emotions. This is a detox reaction. That’s why going slow is advised. And is a process that requires support and self kindness.
Bringing awareness to the calcium shell
When a calcium shell shows up on a hair mineral analysis test it’s a clue that emotional work needs to be part of the healing plan.
When you become aware that this is an issue, the right kind of healing can begin.
Calcium is a bit of a tricky mineral because most people think that consuming it is good. But if it’s being deposited where it should not go, and creating a buffer between you and the rest of the world, it needs to be dealt with very specifically.
As always, awareness is the first step. If you want to measure the levels of calcium in your body, blood tests are not a great way, but a hair tissue analysis can tell if calcium is causing symptoms in the body.
If you want to order an hair mineral analysis test get in touch through the sidebar on this website.