Osteoporosis Awareness Month
Osteoporosis affects around 500 million people worldwide,1 and around 23% of women and 11% of men are impacted by the condition.2 It is estimated that around a third of women and a quarter of men will fracture a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis.3 With increased life expectancy, the incidence of osteoporosis and related issues is likely to rise.
What is osteoporosis??
Defined as a condition involving loss of bone mass, osteoporosis leads to weakened and fragile bones that are prone to breaking. It is known to be a ‘silent condition’ as declining bone mass goes undetected and early warning signs of osteoporosis may be subtle and include:?
For many people, the first indication of osteoporosis may be a fracture following a fall.??
Osteoporosis diagnosis?
Standard diagnosis of osteoporosis uses Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans at various sites to determine bone mineral density (BMD). This gives a clear indication of the mineralisation of bone and its strength. ?
Bones are metabolically active and bone remodelling is a continuous process - around 10% of the adult skeleton is remodelled each year.? Tests examining bone turnover markers may also be used in diagnosis,??? as well as when monitoring progression or the effectiveness of medication.?
Osteoporosis risk factors?
BMD is affected by many factors, which may all influence the risk of developing osteoporosis. Risk factors may be modifiable or non-modifiable:?
Osteoporosis treatment??
There is no cure for osteoporosis and following diagnosis, a series of treatments may be used to preserve BMD or reduce the progression of bone loss. Common treatments include pharmacological interventions such as bisphosphonates, which act to prevent?bone loss. Other medications prescribed may include hormone therapy such as testosterone in men and selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in women. Pain medication may be prescribed following fracture or for back pain associated with osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D are also prescribed to aid bone mineralisation. A number of lifestyle interventions may also be recommended.?
Bone health?
During childhood and adolescence, BMD rapidly increases and peaks at around the age of 18 to 25 years old, and bone mass naturally declines after the age of 30.21 Essential nutrients during the formation phase ensure peak bone mass is reached. ?
When it comes to key nutrients involved in bone health, requirements go beyond just calcium and vitamin D. Bones comprise of several minerals, and additional nutrients are needed either as structural components, or as co-factors in the formation or remodelling of bone.??
Nutrients incorporated into bones include calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.22 Whilst it is uncommon for dietary phosphorus levels to be low, calcium and magnesium intakes may not be optimal. These nutrients work together to give strength and flexibility to bone tissue – creating more resilient bones and reducing the risk of fracture. ?
Other minerals to note of importance for promoting bone health include boron, silicon, and vanadium.23
Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestines and also the release of these minerals from bones when levels are lowered.2?Vitamin D receptors (VDR) are located throughout the body, including in skeletal muscle, and vitamin D plays a role in musculoskeletal function. A deficiency of vitamin D is not only associated with poor bone health but also with muscle weakness and an increased risk of falls,2??2? which may lead to fractures. Vitamin D also plays a role in immunomodulation and aids in reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have been shown to be implicated in poor bone health.2?
Protein is needed to create a meshwork of fibres in bone that minerals are deposited into, and a good protein intake also stimulates growth factors that are involved in bone formation.2? Collagen is the most abundant protein within the body and forms scaffolding in bones, influencing how tough bones are. Vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis in bones and is therefore essential.22 Alterations to the collagen network in bones leads to reduced strength and elasticity, increasing the risk of fragile bones.2? A good collagen intake gives positive benefits to BMD.3?
Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, serves as a co-factor that plays a role in activation of specific proteins involved in calcium transport and integration into tissues, and also ensures that calcium is deposited in bones rather than the walls of blood vessels.31?32 Vitamin K2 deficiency has been shown to be associated with lowered BMD and increased risk of fracture.33
Osteoporosis management?
When it comes to management of osteoporosis, a holistic approach to maintaining and preserving BMD is most effective. Ensuring an adequate intake of essential nutrients for bone health is a good starting point but it should be emphasised that nutrients do not work in isolation and so a good intake of all key nutrients gives the most positive benefit. ??
When looking at diet, reducing food and drinks that are known to have a negative effect on BMD is also essential. This may include reducing alcohol, fizzy drinks containing phosphoric acid, and processed foods.
IMCD adopts a synergistic approach to health and has a wide range of evidence-based nutraceuticals selected by experts that work together to promote optimal bone health. Get in touch with us to find out more. https://www.imcdgroup.com/contact-us
Exercise?and physical activity are also essential to osteoporosis management, and it is recommended that weight-bearing exercise such as dancing, jogging, jumping, and ball or racquet sports are engaged in regularly. Resistance exercise including weight training, squats, and push-ups also preserves bone and muscle mass,3? reducing the risk of falls and fracture.?
References?
领英推荐
?
?
?
?
?
?