Calcium absorption is the crucial physiological process by which dietary calcium is transported from the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the small intestine, across the intestinal epithelial cells and into the bloodstream. This essential process ensures the systemic availability of calcium for its vital roles in bone mineralization, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and hormonal secretion. Efficient absorption is meticulously regulated by the endocrine system, notably through the active form of Vitamin D, calcitriol, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Inadequate absorption can lead to hypocalcemia and compromise skeletal integrity over time.
Origin
The term is straightforward, combining “calcium,” the essential mineral, with “absorption,” from the Latin absorbere, meaning “to swallow down” or “to take in.” The understanding of its biological uptake mechanism evolved significantly with the discovery of Vitamin D’s hormonal role in regulating mineral homeostasis.
Mechanism
Calcium absorption occurs through two main mechanisms: a saturable, active transcellular pathway and a non-saturable, passive paracellular pathway. The active transport is heavily dependent on calcitriol, the hormonal metabolite of Vitamin D, which induces the synthesis of calcium-binding proteins, such as calbindin, within the enterocytes. Calbindin facilitates the movement of calcium across the cell, and calcium is then actively pumped into the blood by a calcium ATPase. The passive route is concentration-dependent and occurs between the cells, contributing significantly when dietary calcium intake is high.
Nutritional strategies can support bone health by providing essential building blocks and cofactors, potentially mitigating density changes from contraceptive hormones.
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