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Overview
Homeostasis comes from the Greek homeo, which means unchanging and stasis, which means standing1.
A very typical homeostasis occurs in humans as the body regulates its temperature in order to maintain
approximately a 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature, according to Biology Online1. Hormones
regulate various homeostasis, such as glucose homeostasis and calcium homeostasis. Homeostasis is
maintained by the endocrine system which secretes hormones—steroids, peptides and amines. Knowing
the role of hormones in homeostasis may help you understand the natural processes occurring within your
body, as well as help you make better decisions about diet, exercise and health.
Glucose Homeostasis
Gut hormones regulate glucose homeostasis. After you eat, multiple gut peptides help with the uptake and
storage of energy from food, according to Daniel J. Drucker in his article, The Role of Gut Hormones in
Glucose Homeostasis, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation2. Neural circuits activated by gut
hormones communicate with organs, such as the liver and muscle tissue, to manage energy intake and
absorption. Incretin hormones enhance meal-stimulated insulin secretion and encourage liver and muscle
tissue glucose uptake while suppressing glucagon secretion at the same time. Whenever blood glucose
levels fall, glucagon increases, and it decreases when glucose levels go back up again. Diabetes results
when this delicate process goes haywire and inadequate levels of insulin are produced, according to Mike
Farabee, Ph.D., author of the Online Biology Book3.
Losing weight, following a health diet and exercising regularly can help keep diabetes at bay. Constantly
relying on your body to bounce back after eating too much sugar or after prolonged periods of intense
daily stress isn’t a long-term solution. It’s important to be proactive and diligent when it comes to your
own healthcare. According the American Diabetes Association, simple factors such as age and carrying
extra weight can put you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes4. Take the Diabetes Risk Test via the
American Diabetes Association website4.
Calcium Homeostasis
In order for the body to maintain adequate calcium levels, certain hormones must work to regulate
calcium homeostasis. Many physiologic process depend on calcium, and maintaining its balance in the
body is crucial, according to Colorado State University Department of Biomedical Sciences
5
. Find calcium in cells, blood and bones within the body; the small intestine, kidneys and bones help
supply and remove calcium to and from blood when needed. There are three hormones that manage
fluctuation of calcium in or out of blood, as well as extracellular fluid, says Colorado State University
Department of Biomedical Sciences 5. The parathyroid hormone works to increase concentrations of
calcium in the blood, and calcitonin is that hormone that works to reduce blood calcium levels when
needed. Hormones work together and with nutrients such as vitamin D to regulate calcium levels.
Lack of calcium is a common concern for older women and men. The National Osteoporosis
Foundation5estimates that as of 2011 ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and thirty-four million
have low bone mass. It’s important to understand guidelines for calcium and vitamin D supplementation,
as well as the importance of daily exercise, to stave off the crippling effects of osteoporosis. When it
comes to calcium, the role of hormones in homeostasis changes significantly after age 50.