Final answer:
Calcitriol has several primary effects on the body, including promoting calcium absorption, maintaining serum calcium and phosphate levels, and supporting bone health and other vital functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary effects of calcitriol on the body include stimulating the intestines to absorb calcium from digesting food, promoting the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the digestive tract, and indirectly increasing calcium uptake by the small intestine.
Calcitriol is vital for maintaining normal serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate, which are important for bone health, muscle contraction, hormone secretion, and neurotransmitter release.
Inadequate levels of calcium can lead to disorders like osteoporosis and osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children.