Living With Osteoporosis

Oct 3, 2011
Vangeepuram Satakopan

Effect of Osteoporosis - Wikipedia

Osteoporosis is the result of aging, but can be precipitated by environmental factors and sedentary lifestyles. However, the condition can be controlled.

The term osteoporosis is derived from Greek and means porous bones. Osteoporosis may be postmenopausal osteoporosis and affects mainly women. Senile osteoporosis occurs after 75 and both men and women are affected. There is gradual erosion of bone and bone density decreases. Thus, the affected people are highly susceptible to fractures in addition to problems with movement. Knee replacement is a common surgical procedure now-a-days. A better solution would be to reduce the rate at which the bones are being eroded. The greatest danger in osteoporosis is from falls.

Hormones and bone

Unlike what many people think, the bone is not a permanent structure and is constantly being remodeled under the influence of the osteoclasic and the osteoblastic cells. The osteoblastic cells promote bone building and the osteoclastic cells cause the bones to dissolve. Vitamin D plays a very important role in bone formation. The active form of vitamin D is a hormone and is called calcitriol (I,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol). This hormone promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract. Thus, it promotes bone formation.

Calcitonin is a hormone from the thyroid gland and it performs the role of lowering the blood calcium levels. This is achieved in more than one way.

It inhibits the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract.
It inhibits the reabsorption of calcium from the renal tubules.
It inhibits the osteoclastic activity.

Parathyroid gland releases the parathormone and this hormone is concerned with elevating the blood calcium levels. This is also achieved in several ways.

It promotes the formation of the osteoclastic cells.
It promotes the absorption of calcium from the gut.
It promotes the reabsorption of calcium from the kidneys.

Recently, it has been shown that the pituitary hormone TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is able to influence bone remodeling and that this action is independent of the action of this hormone on the thyroid gland. TSH is able to reduce osteoporosis. The use of TSH to reduce osteoporosis promises much. However, TSH as such cannot be directly employed for this purpose as this may lead to hyperthyroidism. Thus, a modified form of TSH which is able to act on bone, but is unable to influence the thyroid gland is required.

Role of the vitamins

The role of two vitamins in combating osteoporosis is equally important. The role of vitamin D is well established. It has been shown that calcium supplements along with vitamin D, is more beneficial than either given alone. Another vitamin which has been so far neglected in this matter is vitamin K. Osteocalcin is a protein which promotes the calcification of bones by promoting osteoblastic action. The biosynthesis of osteocalcin requires the presence of vitamin K. Thus, supplementation with vitamin K can also retard osteoporosis.

Exercise

The most important component needed to control the progression of osteoporosis is movement. When one has osteoporosis, movement is painful. However, experience indicates that it is movement which helps to slow down the progression of osteoporosis.

Sources

Raisz L, Pathogenesis of osteoporosis: concepts, conflicts and prospects. J.Clin.invest., 2005, 115(12): 3318-29.
Shearer MJ, Newman P, Metabolism and cell biology of vitamin K, Thrombosis and haemostasis,2008, 100(4):530-47.
Kersetter JE, O’Brien KO, Insogna KL, Dietary protein, calcium metabolism and skeletal homeostasis revisited, Am.J.Clin.Nutr., 2003, 78(3): 584S-592S.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis, or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or, her health should contact a doctor for advice.