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What is Calcium Homeostasis?

Koren Allen
Koren Allen

Calcium is vitally important, not just for strong bones, but for the proper functioning of nearly every cell in the human body. Within our cells, calcium levels must be maintained at an optimal range, and problems arise when there is too much or too little. Calcium homeostasis, also called calcium metabolism, is the process by which our bodies maintain calcium levels within this optimal range. Two primary hormones drive this process, working together to regulate the absorption and release of calcium from our diets and from our bones.

Most people are aware that calcium gives strength and rigidity to bones, and the vast majority of the calcium in our bodies is stored in our skeletal system. Calcium also plays an important role in regulating muscle contractions, where it acts as a signal messenger. In the brain, calcium is necessary for nerve conduction and helps control the pathway used by the brain's chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters. Inside our cells, calcium acts again as a messenger, carrying instructions from one part of the cell to another.

Calcium gives strength and rigidity to bones.
Calcium gives strength and rigidity to bones.

Calcium homeostasis is maintained by the actions of two hormones; parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. Parathyroid hormone is made in the parathyroid glands in response to low levels of calcium in the cells or blood. It stimulates the release of calcium from the bones into the blood, where it can be used by the cells. Calcitonin has the opposite effect; when calcium concentration is too high, calcitonin slows the release of calcium from the bones.

Bananas contain calcium.
Bananas contain calcium.

Hypercalcemia is a condition in which calcium homeostasis is upset by too much calcium. Overactive parathyroid glands can create this condition; by producing too much parathyroid hormone, too much calcium is released into the blood, and it overwhelms the body's ability to produce enough calcitonin to maintain calcium homeostasis. Sometimes, surgical removal of the defective gland is necessary to correct the imbalance of hormones. Certain cancers may also cause calcium levels to become too high. Hypercalcemia can cause kidney stones and organ damage; it can also contribute to osteoporosis because too much calcium is being released from the bones.

It's important that bodies maintain healthy levels of calcium.
It's important that bodies maintain healthy levels of calcium.

Calcium homeostasis can also be upset in the opposite direction; hypocalcemia is caused by not enough calcium in the blood and cells. Hypocalcemia can be caused by inadequate dietary intake of calcium, and supplements may be necessary to correct this deficiency. Even when dietary intake is adequate, the body may have problems absorbing the available calcium because of a deficiency in Vitamin D. Over time, hypocalcemia can contribute to osteoporosis, osteomalacia, muscle spasms, and in severe cases, cardiac dysfunction.

Discussion Comments

Certlerant

Much of the time vitamin D is added to calcium supplements to aid the body with absorption. vitamin D was discovered in an attempt to find what vitamin was lacking in the cause of rickets.

Now easily synthesized vitamin D is added to many staple foods to fight the chance of rickets.

Milk is an excellent source of natural calcium and is now generally fortified with vitamin D for a one, two punch for strong bones.

Soymilk and some vegetable mixes are being fortified with both calcium and vitamin D to levels equivalent to milk for those who don't or can't drink milk.

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    • Calcium gives strength and rigidity to bones.
      By: Monika Olszewska
      Calcium gives strength and rigidity to bones.
    • Bananas contain calcium.
      By: Hyrma
      Bananas contain calcium.
    • It's important that bodies maintain healthy levels of calcium.
      By: luigi giordano
      It's important that bodies maintain healthy levels of calcium.
    • Weak bones associated with osteoporosis may cause elderly individuals to be particularly susceptible to falls.
      By: ArTo
      Weak bones associated with osteoporosis may cause elderly individuals to be particularly susceptible to falls.