Vitamin D helps maintain homeostasis of which two minerals?

Vitamin D helps maintain homeostasis of which two minerals?

• A. Calcium and Phosphorus
• B. Sodium and Potassium
• C. Magnesium and Iron
• D. Zinc and Calcium

Answer: (A)

Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. It does this by increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gut, which are essential for bone mineralization and for maintaining normal blood calcium. When calcium is low, parathyroid hormone ramps up, promoting the production of the active form of vitamin D; this active vitamin D then boosts intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, supports kidney reabsorption, and helps mobilize calcium from bone if needed. This coordinated action keeps blood calcium in the right range for nerve and muscle function and ensures bones stay strong, while phosphorus is maintained for energy metabolism and mineralization. Other minerals—like sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc—are controlled mainly by different hormonal pathways, so vitamin D’s primary homeostatic targets are calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. It does this by increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gut, which are essential for bone mineralization and for maintaining normal blood calcium. When calcium is low, parathyroid hormone ramps up, promoting the production of the active form of vitamin D; this active vitamin D then boosts intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, supports kidney reabsorption, and helps mobilize calcium from bone if needed. This coordinated action keeps blood calcium in the right range for nerve and muscle function and ensures bones stay strong, while phosphorus is maintained for energy metabolism and mineralization. Other minerals—like sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc—are controlled mainly by different hormonal pathways, so vitamin D’s primary homeostatic targets are calcium and phosphorus.