Bone Health
Stacey Eileen Pryczynski
FCS 404: Kanauss
November 15, 2012
I.
Bone health encompasses many different aspects of the bone, from building bones from
cartilage at birth to combating osteoporosis later in life. Keeping your bones healthy is a
lifelong process, the best way through preventative nutrition and exercise. In this paper
articles will be discussed that involve how to keep bones healthy and some preventative
measures for osteoporosis.
II.
Bone health should be started immediately after birth; around 90% of bone mass is
made during adolescence. During human growth many factors can affect bone mass and
density such as gender, race, and dietary factors. Dietary factors include the presence of
vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc in the diet, all of these vitamins and minerals are known
to help bone mass and density. It is proposed that “osteoporosis has origins in childhood
eating and physical activity habits” (Laudermilk et al). Building bone strength during
growth may decrease the risk for osteoporosis later in life and reduce the risk for
fractures. Peak bone strength is measured by bone mass, composition, material
properties, geometry, and microstructure. Physical activity throughout life affects bone
health, but especially during childhood and adolescence. Exercise increases bone mass by
increasing muscle mass that creates tension on bones. Previous research studies
concluded that intensity rather than duration of activities. Exercise throughout life is also
very important for bone health, and can prevent bone loss later in life. Exercise is
important for building bone mass and density insuring less fractures and the lowers the
risk for osteoporosis. A study was done on older men and women to see if lifelong
physical activity was important in maintaining bone strength in elderly. A total of 5,764
elderly male and female participants between ages 67 and 93 years old participated in the
study, they were asked a series of questions about the types of physical activity they had
throughout their lifetime. Some participants reported that they had lifelong physical
inactivity, around 64% of men and 72% of women and only 8% of men and 5% of
women reported lifelong physical activity. Participants who had lifelong physical activity
had higher bone mineral density than those who were only active during young life or
physically inactive throughout life. The hypothesis of the study was supported because
“not only maintenance of gained peak bone mass but also a deceleration of age related
bone loss continued by lifelong physical activity is important for preserving bone strength
later in life.”(Rianon et al). It is very critical that to support bone health through life one
should be continuously physically active, especially at a young age.
From a nutritional standpoint the best nutrients for bone health are calcium,
vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphate. Calcium and
vitamin D are essential for normal bone homeostasis. It has been found that there is a
correlation between bone mineral density and intestinal calcium absorption. This means
that the calcium from supplements and the diet directly affects bones. Recent studies have
confirmed that the correlation is valid and recently a
Randomized controlled trial assed the effects of calcium supplementation on
bone mineral density in nonosteoporotic older men. It found that men taking
1,200 mg/day for two years had bone mineral density increases at all sites by 11.5% more than those receiving the placebo (patel et al.).
Vitamin D is vital for calcium metabolism and accretion of bone mass during growth.
Vitamin D deficiency common among young children and adolescents, this is a problem because
vitamin D is so important in many body functions such as bone health, immune functions,
prevention of cardiovascular disease, and deficiencies have also been correlated with immune
disorders, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. It has been suggested that the recommended daily
values for vitamin D should be raised for preventative measures, especially since vitamin D
status is an important determinant of bone mineral density. Vitamin C and zinc are required for
collagen production and bone growth. Vitamin C especially is a cofactor in the cross-linking of
collagen fibrils; collagen is a very important part of the bone matrix. Zinc is necessary for
osteoblast activity and also stimulates synthesis of a growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I,
which is a mediator of linear growth and a bone anabolic factor. There was a study done to
examine the relationship of dietary intake of micronutrients and bone macro-architectural
structure in young girls. The girls were given food frequency questionnaires, physical activity
was measured from pedometer step counts, and anthropometric measurements were also taken.
The study found that bone density, geometry, and size were significantly correlated with
calcium, vitamin C, and zinc intake. The study also showed that nutrient intake at a younger age
compared to older school age children has a more positive effect on bone health, during certain
stages of bone growth it is important to make sure children are getting the proper amount of
nutrients and should be given vitamins if their diets are inadequate in nutrients such as calcium,
vitamins C and D and zinc. It has also been known that vitamin C and zinc might be more
influential during cartilage production. To maximize bone development in school age children it
is important that they are given a diet adequate in citrus fruits, lean meats, poultry, fortified
foods, and vitamins.
Phosphate homeostasis also plays an important role in bone health. Phosphate is one of
the most abundant minerals in the body; it makes up 1% of body weight. Maintaining phosphate
balance in the body is crucial for bone health, homeostasis is determined by intestinal uptake, reabsorption, excretion, and the exchange of phosphate between extracellular and bone storage
pools. Deficiency of phosphate can also lead to bone pathology and clinical illnesses. One of the
most important functions of phosphate is bone mineralization, phosphate is complexed with
calcium
calcium in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals or amorphous calcium phosphate. Up to 85 % of
the body’s phosphate is found in bone and teeth. Inorganic phosphate is an ionic component
required for hydroxyapatite formation and bone mineralization. Phosphorus deficiencies can also
lead to delay mineralization of the growth plate and cause rickets at younger ages.
Osteoporosis is a major global health problem that affects 44 million Americans. The
National Bone Health Alliance is implementing a project that will potentially make bone
turnover markers an additional tool for health care professionals to help improve patient
outcomes. Using bone turnover makers as part of assessment and also as part of treatment will
help predict fracture risks and help monitor osteoporosis. Some known reference markers are
serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, a bone re-absorption maker, and serum
procollagen type IN propeptide, which is a bone formation maker. The International
Osteoporosis Foundation found that bone turnover makers provide pharmacodynamic
information of response from the body of osteoporosis treatment and the makers are useful in
monitoring treatment. Is it important that during treatment of osteoporosis that bone mineral
density testing is preformed every one or two years to monitor bone loss and fracture risks, and
to measure pharmacological therapy. Bone turnover makers could also make it easier for health
care professionals to diagnose osteoporosis and start treatment earlier. Bone turnover makers
measure proteins metabolites in the body released from the bone in the breakdown or
reformation of bone. Using the makers will help to personalize the diagnosis of osteoporosis and
specifically help treat the condition. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is also known as high turnover
osteoporosis and effects postmenopausal women due to their decrease in estrogen. It is known
that the biochemical properties of bone decrease in osteoporotic bone, and deficiency of estrogen
can change the composition of bone and reduce bone mineral density.
III.
Protecting bone health is a lifelong process, it is important that bones be protected with
lifelong physical activity and proper nutrition and supplementation. Physical activity
helps bone density and strength that can keep bones from diminishing later in life, it was
proven that people who have physical activity throughout their lifetime have a much
lesser risk for developing bone fractures and osteoporosis later in life than those who
were physically inactive throughout their life. Having proper nutrition to ensure micro
and macronutrients are not deficient in the body also helps many body functions
including bone functions with the most important nutrients being calcium, vitamins C and
d, zinc, and phosphorus. Supplementation may also need to be given at a younger age as
collagen development and mineralization of bone is crucial in growth periods to ensure
healthier bones later in life.
IV.
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