Human Bones

Breakdown

Over time, as healthy bone is subject to the wear and tear of use, the bone develops microfractures in the hard surfaces which weakens areas of bone. The bone reacts to this weakening in the same way it does to the task of repairing a break.

Bone Reabsorption

Osteoclast cells are dispatched to attack the weak bone and with the aid of a variety of systemic hormones, dissolve the deteriorating bone, releasing calcium into the blood.

Excavation

As the bone is turned to fine particles, the particles are absorbed into the body as calcium, leaving tiny areas that have been essentially excavated by the osteoclasts.

Repair

Next, osteoblasts arrive on the scene and collect around the damaged sites. The osteoblasts fill in the damaged area with new bone with the aid of growth hormones, vitamins like B12 and other growth stimulating substances in the blood.

Mineralization

The new bone absorbs systemic calcium, is mineralized and becomes healthy bone tissue.

An Ongoing Cycle

Over the life of the bone, the cycle of breakdown and repair continues steadily. Exercise and good nutrition stimulate bone growth and repair more than any other factor. Bone loss and weakening as people age is due more to reduced exercise and poor nutrition than to the passage of years.

Maintaining Bone Health in Order to Balance

The higher bone density, the less possibility to have osteoporosis; which is the condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle.

To understand how diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors can help maintain bone health.

There are several factors that affect bone health, among others:

1. The amount of calcium in food intake

Low calcium intake of foods that cause reduced bone density, early bone loss and increased fracture risk.

2. Levels of physical activity

A person with low physical activity have a higher risk of osteoporosis than active.

3. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Research shows that smoking can be one factor that causes bones to become more brittle. If you consume more than two bottles of alcoholic drinks a day can increase the risk of osteoporosis, as alcohol can impair the body’s ability to absorb calcium.

4. Gender factors

Women have less bone tissue than men.

5. Age factor

The older the bones are thinner and fragile.

6. Factors of race, body mass index, and genetic

The biggest risk is the Mongoloid race (Asian). Low body mass index (19 or less) also had a greater risk. In addition, having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis is also having a greater risk (genetic factors).

7. Hormonal factors

Formation of too much thyroid hormone can cause bone fragility. In women, bone fragility increases drastically at menopause as estrogen levels decline. Amenorrhea (no menstrual period before menopause) in the long run, it also increases the risk of osteoporosis. In men, low testosterone levels can cause loss of bone density.

8. Eating disorders

People suffering from anorexia or bulimia have a high risk of experiencing bone fragility. Moreover, gastrectomy (one procedure in abdominal surgery), weight loss surgery and Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and Cushing’s disease can affect the body’s ability to absorb calcium.

9. Use of certain medications

Long-term use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, cortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone can cause bone damage. Other drugs associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis include: long-term use of aromatase inhibitors to treat breast cancer, antidepressant drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), treatment with the cancer drug methotrexate, some anti-seizure medications, the acid-blocking drugs the so-called proton pump inhibitors and antacids containing aluminum.