Calcium and Bone Health: Treatment and Prevention

• Autor(a) principal: Paixão, Mírian Patrícia Castro Pereira
• Data de Publicação: 2010
• Outros Autores: Bressan, Josefina
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Saúde e Pesquisa (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unicesumar.edu.br/index.php/saudpesq/article/view/1191
• topic: Calcium; Bone Health; Bioavailability.; Cálcio; Saúde Óssea; Biodisponibilidade.

Calcium is involved in several metabolic processes, including the mineralization of bones and teeth. It is acquired through the intake of foods containing it, being the milk and its products its main source. The recommendation varies according to age, growth and diseases that might interfere in the metabolism. Its maintenance and fixation in bone metabolism are regulated by vitamin D and several hormones, which will have its production influenced by levels of calcium in the blood. Moreover, several factors can interfere in the absorption and excretion of this mineral, such as: components of the diet, drugs, sex, race, smoking, abusive consumption of alcohol, hormonal changes and diseases that interfere in its absorption and promote the increase in its excretion. In the treatment and prevention of bone diseases, especially of osteoporosis, it is necessary to adjust the intake and/or supplement the diet with calcium. The purpose of this review was to discuss the role of calcium in the bone health, taking into account factors that interfere with its bioavailability and its participation in treatment and prevention of bone diseases.