This post will be too long to go in-depth on all of these co-factors, but I do want to mention the role parathyroid hormone plays. Parathyroid hormone regulates the actions that our bones take in the building and breaking down process (uptake and release of calcium). PTH release is signaled when blood calcium levels fall. PTH then goes to the bone to control the pausing of osteoblasts (bone-building organisms) and the release of osteoclasts to break down bone and release calcium into the bloodstream.

One other co-factor I would like to mention in closing is the delicate balance of all minerals in our body. Calcium has the largest concentration in our bodies but works in harmony with other minerals. Namely, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus among others. When these minerals are out of balance with calcium, and each other, it affects the uptake, or absorption, of all of them. If you are a soda drinker, you are likely getting too much phosphoric acid and this imbalance can show up in bone spurs or arthritis for example. Excess sugar consumption, depletes magnesium and other minerals as well, which inhibits the hundreds of processes they are needed for.

In closing, our bodies are beautiful, very complex systems. Their creation and endurance show the numerous fail-safes that are in place despite the stressors we place on them. With a little knowledge here and there, we can know better how to help our bodies achieve wellness rather than succumb to chronic illness.