OSTEOPOROSIS IS A CONDITION IN WHICH YOUR BONES BECOME BRITTLE, WEAK AND DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF THICKNESS DUE TO THE DEFICIENCY OF VITAMIN D, CALCIUM AND PHOSPHATE. CHILDRENS EXPERIENCE SIMILAR CONDITION KNOWN AS RICKETS THAT EFFECTS THEIR BONE DEVELOPMENT.

Osteoporosis

NUTRITION FOR OSTEOPOROSIS PATIENT:

How to diagnose:

Typically, there are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once when the bones become brittle and weakened due to osteoporosis there sign and symptoms are shown which can be diagnosed by the following methods:

  • Through bone X-rays or scan
  • Calcium and vitamin D test
  • Parathyroid hormone test

Signs and Symptoms:

The major sign and symptoms of osteomalacia or soft bones are:

Back pain, easily bone break or fracture, loss of height over time and a stooped posture.

Role of Calcium, Vitamin D And Phosphorous:

Calcium is responsible for many body functions, including building and maintaining healthy bones. In bones it is present at more than 99% as calcium phosphate complexes and provides the skeleton stenght and structure making the bone a metabolic reservoir to maintain the intra cellular and extra cellular calcium pool.

Men and women between the ages of 18-50 needs 1000 mg calcium per day and this amount increases to 1200 mg when the men turn to 70 and women to 50 years.

Vitamin D improves the body’s ability to absorb calcium and improves bone health in other ways. People get vitamin D from sunlight but might not be sufficient and good source if you are living in a high latitude area they must also intake the organic sources of vitamin D to prevent its deficiency.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis:

DIETARY FACTORS

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

MEDICATIONS OF SPECIFIC DISEASE

UNMODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

Low calcium intake

Celiac disease

seizure

hormones

Lack of vitamin D

Inflammatory bowel disease

Gastric reflux

Hormones like sex, PTH, thyroid and Adrenal glands

Gastrointestinal surgery

cancer

cancer

Family history

Low/high magnesium

Kidney disease

Transplant rejection

Body frame size

Low phosphorous

Multiple myeloma

 

race

Eating disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis

 

 

As these are the major risk factors which effect the bone health of a person.

Effects of Dietary Factors On Osteoporosis:

As a person diet impacts the overall health of a person. a healthy diet can prevent a person from many issues in human body. A person diet must contain all the sufficient amount of nutrients required to meet its daily nutrient needs. Deficiency may lead to many chronic symptoms like if a person diet lacks sufficient amount of calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D than it may leads to osteoporosis. A diet related osteoporosis can only be preventing through proper diet.

Effects of Medical Conditions, medications and unmodifiable risk factors On Osteoporosis:

As specific medicines, specific medicines for specific diseases and unmodifiable conditions effects the absorption, transportation and utilization of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorous in human body. Diminished absorption of these vitamins and minerals in human body may lead to weak and brittle bones.

Who are at the risk of osteoporosis, Men or Women?

Women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men because the hormonal changes happen at the menopause directly affect the bone health. 1/3 of women over age of 50 and 1/5 men over age of 50 experienced of osteoporotic fractures in their life.

Best nutrition to prevent osteoporosis:

Foods to increase intake

Foods to avoid

Low fat dairy products ( e.g. yogurt, milk, butter milk cheese etc.)

alcohol

Leafy green vegetables ( such as cabbage, kale, turnips, spinach and coriander etc.) and other vegetables.

Caffeine ( no more than 2-3 cups of tea per day )

Fruits ( like apple, orange, berries, raisins, straw berry, pears and apricot).

Salt ( excessive )

Beans ( such as chick peas, white beans and other type of beans and legumes)

Red meat

Eggs and all type of poultry.

Wheat bran ( excessive use of 100% bran )

Nuts ( e.g. walnuts, peanuts and nuts )

Liver and fish liver oil ( excessive )

Ca fortified juices

Refined sugar and carbohydrates

Fatty fish / chicken / and other type of meat

 

All type of cereals