Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

5.6K
Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
5.6K
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

3.6K
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
3.6K
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

5.8K
The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
5.8K
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

40.1K
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
40.1K
Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

4.0K
Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
4.0K
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

5.4K
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in...
5.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cost-savings from fracture prevention with zoledronate in randomised controlled trials.

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·2026
Same author

Management of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

Endocrine reviews·2026
Same author

Decreased Nonvertebral Fracture Incidence with Zoledronate Use For >3 Years: Post Hoc Analysis of an RCT.

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·2026
Same author

Antifracture Efficacy of 5- or 10-Yearly Zoledronate in Women Aged 50 to 60 Years: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Trial.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2025
Same author

Calcium Supplementation- Efficacy and Safety.

Current osteoporosis reports·2025
Same author

Fracture Prevention with Infrequent Zoledronate in Women 50 to 60 Years of Age.

The New England journal of medicine·2025
Same journal

Endothelial Cell Phenotypic Plasticity in Atherosclerosis.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Endothelial Dysfunction and Neurovascular Alterations in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Molecular Mechanisms of Endothelial Shear Stress Mechanotransduction in Health and Disease.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Microvasculature of the Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans in Health and Diabetes.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Mechanisms of Actions of Physiological, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Dietary Bioactive Inorganic Boron.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2026
Same journal

BNCT Plus Luminescence: New Paradigm for Boron-Containing Drug Design.

Handbook of experimental pharmacology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes
05:03

A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes

Published on: February 24, 2023

993

Calcium and Bone.

Ian R Reid1,2, Sarah M Bristow3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. i.reid@auckland.ac.nz.

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|December 4, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Calcium regulation is vital for bodily functions, but evidence for low calcium intake causing osteoporosis is weak. Calcium supplements have limited benefit for healthy adults and osteoporosis treatment.

Keywords:
BoneBone densityCalciumCalcium balanceFractureOsteoporosisVitamin D

More Related Videos

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
11:30

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro

Published on: June 2, 2022

2.3K
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

20.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 2, 2026

A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes
05:03

A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes

Published on: February 24, 2023

993
A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
11:30

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro

Published on: June 2, 2022

2.3K
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

20.1K

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Mineral Metabolism
  • Bone Health

Background:

  • Extracellular calcium homeostasis is critical for nervous system, muscle, and coagulation functions, as well as skeletal mineralization and prevention of soft tissue calcification.
  • Adult humans exhibit adaptability to a broad spectrum of calcium intakes, ranging from 300 to 2,000 mg/day, indicating robust regulatory mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the evidence linking calcium intake to osteoporosis development and fracture risk.
  • To assess the role and efficacy of calcium supplementation in managing osteoporosis, particularly in conjunction with other treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and clinical trial data regarding calcium intake, bone health, and fracture risk.
  • Analysis of recommendations from health organizations like the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

Main Results:

  • The evidence suggesting that low calcium intake contributes to osteoporosis is limited.
  • Clinical trials do not consistently demonstrate that increased calcium intake significantly reduces fracture risk.
  • Anti-fracture efficacy of osteoporosis drugs like bisphosphonates and estrogens has been shown independently of calcium supplementation.

Conclusions:

  • Calcium supplements appear to have a minimal role in current medical practice for the general adult population.
  • The routine recommendation of calcium and vitamin D supplements alongside osteoporosis drug treatments is not supported by robust clinical trial data.