What is calcium homeostasis?

Calcium homeostasis is also known as calcium metabolism. It’s the mechanism that regulates the calcium level in the body. Any dips or increases in the level of calcium has an immediate impact on calcium. These dips and increases are called hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia respectively.

The calcium flow to and fro the bone is neutral – as much leaves as goes in in a normally functioning body. However, bones are a important factor for calcium storage as they hold pretty much 99 per cent of the calcium in the body.

This is all regulated by the parathyroid hormone. This is called calcitonin and regulates the body’s calcium level in the bone.

This calcium homeostasis is what can affect the development of osteoporosis. Making sure your calcium homeostasis is regulated well throughout your life decreases the risk of this bone weakening condition from occurring.

This can be achieved by taking calcium and vitamin D supplements every day or maintaining a good, varied and balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin D aids calcium homeostasis. When vitamin D is absorbed into the body, it is converted into calcidiol in the liver. Some of this is then converted in to calcitriol, which is the biologically active form of vitamin D. It circulates as a hormone in the blood, regulating the concentration of calcium and phosphate in the bloodstream and promoting the healthy growth and remodeling of bone.

How does calcium homeostasis work? According to the Boundless.com website, “When blood calcium concentration rises, the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland increase calcitonin secretion into the blood. At the same time, the parathyroid glands reduce parathyroid hormone secretion into the blood. The resulting high levels of calcitonin in the blood stimulate the bone to remove calcium from the blood plasma and deposit it as bone.

Removal of calcium from the bone is also inhibited. When the blood calcium level is too low, calcitonin secretion is inhibited and PTH secretion is stimulated. This results in the removal of calcium from the bone to correct blood calcium levels.”