Gastric acid, calcium absorption, and their impact on bone health

Physiol Rev. 2013 Jan;93(1):189-268. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00015.2012.

Abstract

Calcium balance is essential for a multitude of physiological processes, ranging from cell signaling to maintenance of bone health. Adequate intestinal absorption of calcium is a major factor for maintaining systemic calcium homeostasis. Recent observations indicate that a reduction of gastric acidity may impair effective calcium uptake through the intestine. This article reviews the physiology of gastric acid secretion, intestinal calcium absorption, and their respective neuroendocrine regulation and explores the physiological basis of a potential link between these individual systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antacids / therapeutic use
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / etiology
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / metabolism
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism*
  • Calcitonin / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Gastric Acid / metabolism*
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Histamine H2 Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Intestinal Absorption* / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Intestines / drug effects
  • Parathyroid Hormone / metabolism
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Vitamin D / metabolism

Substances

  • Antacids
  • Histamine H2 Antagonists
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcitonin
  • Calcium