The Negative Effects Of Skeletal Diseases

The Negative Effects Of Skeletal Diseases
The major skeletal disease in which nutrition plays a role is Osteoporosis.html">osteoporosis,
characterized by a decrease in the amount of bone, often so severe that
it leads to fractures. Prevention of osteoporosis is important because
treatment of osteoporosis, once fractures have occurred, is relatively
ineffective and the functional limitations and deformities that develop
are often irreversible.

Ninety nine percent of the body's calcium is found in the bones and
the teeth. Because of calcium's importance throughout the body,
constant skeletal remodelling most likely evolved to provide a
continuous supply of calcium.

Calcium absorption is determined by the amount of dietary calcium,
the interaction of calcium with other dietary substances within the
small intestine, the level of activity of transport systems that move
calcium across the intestinal wall and into the body. Calcium is
transported across the intestine principally by calcium-binding
proteins.

Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body, exceeded
by calcium. About 85 percent of the body's phosphorus is in the bones.
While phosphate deficiency can lead to decreased bone mass, excessive
phosphate can also harm the skeleton. Excessive dietary intakes of
phosphate produce bone disease, particularly if the diet is low in
calcium.

Nutrition Programs and Services

Food Labels:Evidence related to the role of dietary
factors in skeletal disease has no special implications for change in
policy related to food labeling. However nutrition, labeling, which
lists calcium and other nutrient content, should be encouraged on most
food products.

Food Services:Evidence related to the role of dietary
factors in skeletal diseases currently holds no special implications
for change in policy related to food service programs.

Food Products:The diversity of dietary patterns suggests
the possibility of calcium fortification of a limited number of foods.
These additions should be carefully selected to avoid excessive calcium
in the food supply. Fortification should be chosen based on the
frequency of consumption of a food by the targeted populations, and the
calcium should be in physiologically available form. It is important to
continue fortification of suitable foods with vitamin D because this is
instrumental in reducing the prevalence of rickets. [The Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition & Health, 1988.]

Nutrition's Role In Osteoporosis

Nutrition's Role In Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a reduction in the amount of bone mass, leading to fractures after minimal trauma.

The major skeletal disease in which nutrition plays a role is osteoporosis,

characterized by a decrease in the amount of bone, often so severe that it leads to

fractures. All bones are at risk, but the most common sites of fracture include the

vertebral column, the wrist and the hip. Osteoporosis affects both men and women, but

occurs more commonly in women. This is partly due to the role menopause plays in bone

loss. Bone loss begins to occur at a slow rate (0.2 to 0.5 percent per year) during one's

late 20s or early 30s. For the first five to 10 years after menopause, the rate of bone

loss is accelerated and may occur at a rate of two to four percent per year. After this,

it returns to the previous age-related rate of loss. A woman may lose 30 to 50 percent of

her total bone mass during the menopausal years. Risk factors for primary osteoporosis

include Caucasian race, tobacco use, chronic alcohol use, a low calcium diet, one's family

history and a sedentary lifestyle. Osteoporosis may also occur as a result of other chronic diseases or be associated with long-term use of certain medications;

this is known as secondary osteoporosis.

Prevention of osteoporosis is important because treatment of osteoporosis, once

fractures have occurred, is relatively ineffective and the functional limitations and

deformities that develop are often irreversible.

Ninety nine percent of the body's calcium is found in the bones and the teeth. Because

of calcium's importance throughout the body, constant skeletal remodelling

most likely evolved to provide a continuous supply of calcium.

Calcium absorption is determined by the amount of dietary calcium, the interaction of

calcium with other dietary substances within the small intestine, the level of

activity of transport systems that move calcium across the intestinal wall and into the

body. Calcium is transported across the intestine principally by calcium-binding

proteins.

Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body, exceeded by calcium. About

85 percent of the body's phosphorus is in the bones. While phosphate

deficiency can lead to decreased bone mass, excessive phosphate can also harm the

skeleton. Excessive dietary intakes of phosphate produce bone disease,

particularly if the diet is low in calcium.

Building strong bones, especially before the age of 30, can be the best defense against

developing osteoporosis, and a healthy lifestyle can be critically important for keeping

bones strong.

Osteoporosis is largely preventable for most people. Prevention of this disease is very

important because, while there are treatments for osteoporosis, there is currently no

cure. There are four steps to prevent osteoporosis. No one step alone is enough to prevent

osteoporosis but all four may. They are:

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D



• Weight-bearing exercise



• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol use



• And bone density testing and medications when appropriate

Depending on your age, an appropriate calcium intake falls between 1000 and 1300 mg a

day. If you have difficulty getting enough calcium from the foods you eat, you may take a

calcium supplement to make up the difference.

Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D, you will

be unable to absorb calcium from the foods you eat, and your body will have to take

calcium from your bones. Vitamin D comes from two sources: through the skin following

direct exposure to sunlight and from the diet. Experts recommend a daily intake between

400 and 800 IU per day, which also can be obtained from fortified dairy products, egg

yolks, saltwater fish and liver.

Exercise is also important to good bone health. If you exercise regularly in childhood

and adolescence, you are more likely to reach your peak bone density than those who are

inactive. The best exercise for your bones is weight-bearing exercise such as walking,

dancing, jogging, stair-climbing, racquet sports and hiking. If you have been sedentary

most of your adult life, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning

any exercise program.

The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.