CALCIUM

Calcium, a crucial mineral for overall health, is predominantly recognized for its role in maintaining robust bones and teeth. However, its significance extends beyond skeletal health, encompassing vital functions such as blood clotting, muscle contraction facilitation, and the regulation of heart rhythms and nerve activities. Approximately 99% of the body’s calcium reservoir is housed in bones, with the remaining 1% distributed in blood, muscles, and various tissues. The body meticulously orchestrates a delicate balance of calcium levels in the blood and tissues to sustain these essential daily functions. When blood calcium levels dip, the parathyroid hormone (PTH) intervenes, prompting the release of calcium from bones and enhancing its absorption in the intestines through vitamin D activation. Simultaneously, PTH signals the kidneys to conserve calcium and excrete less in urine. Conversely, when calcium levels are sufficient, calcitonin, another hormone, counteracts PTH’s actions. Calcitonin curtails the release of calcium from bones and encourages the kidneys to expel more calcium in urine, ensuring a harmonious equilibrium of this vital mineral within the body.