Did you know calcium plays a role in our blood sugar levels?
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It’s more than just for bones, teeth and our nervous system! Calcium is actually required to help sensitize our cells to glucose, along with insulin. They work synergistically, where once calcium sensitizes the cells, our bodies release more insulin to help move glucose molecules.
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Naturally, our bodies regulate calcium blood levels very closely- it is very rare that someone would have low or high levels unless there is an extreme stress on the body or unnecessary supplementation is being administered. When levels are either too high or too low, the response of our pancreatic cells diminishes, thus leading to blood sugar problems down the line.
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The pancreas and the liver coordinate with each other to maintain this homeostasis. When the pancreas detects high calcium levels, it synthesizes and secretes glucagon, a hormone that is responsible for balancing blood sugar. It particularly causes the liver to convert glycogen into glucose which makes it easier for cells to absorb. If pancreatic cells detect elevated blood sugar levels, the pancreas then releases insulin to have cells respond to the free flowing glucose, as well as have the live store extra for itself.
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So what exactly causes high calcium? Well, it could be a multitude of things, but it is particularly a stress on the body that causes the system to break down bone mass. Things that can cause calcium to leach out of our skeletal system are things like over exercising, under eating, mental stress, heavy metal toxicity… the list can go on.
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Unnecessary supplementation of vitamin D can cause the body to absorb too much calcium, as well as supplementation.
Note: Please if you are supplementing vitamin D or calcium to always take it with a vitamin K because it helps direct calcium to the bones and avoid over calcification.
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Keep in mind calcium will rarely show as high or low on a blood test because the body is always trying to regulate it! What it will do instead, if it needs extra or less, is just regulate where it gets it from in the body (bones, teeth, food)
The best way to check if through an HTMA which I offer to my 1:1 clients!