The right dietary ratio between calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) is a fundamental requirement for maintaining eunutrition and good health.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and 99% of it is contained in the bones , while only 1% is distributed in the soft tissues and in the intra and extra cellular liquids. alimentation/img/calcium-phosphorus-ratio.jpg” alt=” Calcium-phosphorusratio <” width=”351″ height=”242″ class=”imgleft” />The functions of calciumconcern the structuring of the bone (together with phosphorus it makes up hydroxyapatite), while in the extra and intracellular sphere it participates in enzyme activation, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction , membrane permeability, and multiplication and differentiation mobile phone.
Phosphorus is also a highly present mineral in the hydroxyapatite of the skeleton (85%), while the remaining 15% is found in soft tissues and extracellular fluids. Phosphorus is an essential component of phospholipids (found in nervous tissue) and is involved in a number of processes such as storage and transport of energy(ATP), and intracellular transmission of hormonal messages (cAMP). It also forms part of the genetic material and in the form of mono and dibasic phosphate it functions as a buffer system , contributing to the regulation of the acid-base balance of body fluids.
The right relationship between dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) is a fundamental requirement for:
- the optimization of the synthesis of hydroxyapatite as mineral substrate of bone calcification
- monitoring the activity of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- monitoring of thyroid and adrenal gland activity
Calcium and phosphorus compete with each other in intestinal absorption, therefore, excluding all the external and subjective variables that intervene in this process, the absorption of dietary calcium can be optimized or limited by the concomitant intake of dietary phosphorus. Ultimately, the right ratio between calcium and phosphorus is essential to allow bone anabolism processes; however, if it is true that hydroxyapatite needs both one and the other trace element, it is equally true that the most deficient mineral is undoubtedly calcium (especially due to the scarcity of food sources and other metabolically influential pathologies).
- Taking into account all the variables of the case, scientific research has shown that the right ratio between dietary calcium and phosphorus is: Ca/P = 3:1 or 2:1.
The ANS is made up of a set of endocrine glands which perform, on the one hand, the catabolic functions ( sympathetic system ) and on the other the anabolic processes ( parasympathetic system ); in case of imbalance or hormonal preponderance, blood alterations in calcium and phosphorus levels may occur. An excess of sympathetic hormones promotes calcium retention ; conversely, parasympathetic hormones would favor the phosphorus pool. The homeostatic balance of the ANS promotes a circulating calcium to phosphorus ratio of 3:1 or 2:1 (more precisely 2.6:1). Some trace elements (
sodium , potassium , magnesium , calcium and phosphorus) also act as indicators of the correct metabolic functioning of other glands, such as the thyroid and the adrenal gland ; for example, an excessive production of glucocorticosteroids and mineralocorticosteroids favors the excretion of calcium (as well as magnesium ) by altering the right circulating ratio between calcium and phosphorus. Not only that, it seems that functional hyperthyroidism ANTAGONIZES (like adrenal steroids ) the function of the parathyroid glands by promoting the retention of phosphorus over that of calcium.
The mechanisms related to the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus are very complex and articulated. As far as nutrition is concerned, in the absence of pathologies, adequate intake of these trace elements guarantees skeletal integrity by promoting the achievement and maintenance of optimal mineralization. Furthermore, blood homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus indicates a good balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and excludes adrenal , thyroid and parathyroid secretory alterations (primary or secondary) .
