title: Ageing and calcium metabolism.
abstract: Ageing alters the metabolism of calcium and vitamin D in a number of ways. Intake of calcium and vitamin D, exposure to sunlight, cutaneous production of vitamin D3, renal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3), intestinal absorption of calcium and the ability to adapt to a low calcium diet may all be reduced in elderly subjects. As a consequence, secondary hyperparathyroidism often occurs with ageing and can contribute to accelerated bone loss. In fact, alterations in calcium and vitamin D metabolism may be widespread in the ageing population and play a central role in the pathogenesis of senile (age-related) osteoporosis. From a preventive point of view, recent intervention studies have indicated the need to optimize calcium intake and to maintain serum 25(OH)D3 levels within the normal range in elderly people.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bouillon
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carmeliet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boonen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000502:physiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium