By
Joseph Cannon and Christopher Theberge
What disease are college-aged individuals most concerned
about? If you ask most, I doubt you will hear many people respond with
osteoporosis. This disease, which mainly affects older individuals, relates to
a weakening and thinning of bones due to a loss in calcium stores. Why should
you be concerned if osteoporosis is a disease the effects mainly individuals
over 50-years-old?
According to
the National Institute of Health on Osteoporosis and Bone Related Disorders, in
the
One of the most
important ways to prevent osteoporosis is making sure that normal peak bone
mass is achieved by about 20 years of age. Although peak bone mass is mainly
attained during the third decade of life, the amount of bone formed during your
20s to 30s is relatively small.
Bones are
constantly breaking down and reforming. These two processes parallel each other
until approximately 30 years of age when natural bone loss begins. Therefore,
bones become progressively weaker and less dense as you age. Bone loss through
aging is inevitable; however there are several ways to alleviate the rate at
which this occurs. Many decisions you make now will determine your osteoporosis
risk later in life. Current nutrition and exercise habits are two dynamics you
must pay close attention to.
Preventing
osteoporosis through nutrition:
Studies have
shown that teenage girls, adult women, and adults over 65 years of age have
calcium intakes below the RDA. Why is this a concern?
About 99
percent of your body's calcium is found in teeth and bones. Adequate calcium
consumption is crucial to ensure that your bones have enough of the building
blocks for formation. Also, calcium levels in the blood are under tight
control, which aims to maintain a steady calcium level. When calcium levels are
low, with inadequate intake for example, your bones will release calcium to
maintain that steady state. If calcium intake is consistently low, then your
bones must continuously give up their calcium, instead of using it for its own
development, resulting in lower bone mineral content, and hence lower density.
Depending on your age, average calcium consumption should be between 1000
mg-1300 mg each day. Calcium supplementation is rarely warranted because it is
very easy to meet your daily requirements with food.
Vitamin D is a
fat soluble vitamin that is needed in adequate amounts to ensure that calcium
is absorbed. There are two ways in which we get the vitamin. First, the sun can
provide a way of processing the vitamin on the skin, which is followed by
absorption into the body. Secondly, dietary intake can come from fortified
milk, cod liver oil, and egg yolks, although in small amounts. Considering the
region that we live in, conversion of vitamin D from the sun is not enough to
provide adequate amounts, therefore dietary intake is needed. Interestingly,
the major source of vitamin D in the American diet is from milk. Milk is also
the major contributor of calcium. Therefore, it is to no surprise that
inadequate calcium intake will also lead to inadequate vitamin D intakes. It is
recommended that individuals receive about 400 IU - 800 IU of vitamin D each
day through the diet.
Adequate
calcium and vitamin D intake is easily achieved by drinking at least three
glasses of milk, preferably skim, each day. Dairy products in general are
excellent calcium foods, yet they are not the only way to meet your daily
requirements. Canned fish products such as sardines provide ample amounts of
calcium. Green leafy vegetables (i.e. Collard greens) are also calcium
containing foods; however the presence of phytates
and oxalates bind to calcium and limit the amount that is absorbed.
Fortification of soy products, orange juice and cereals with calcium will
greatly improve the calcium status of consumers.
Vitamin K is
another fat-soluble vitamin necessary for normal bone health. One of its major
functions is to aid in the formation of osteocalcin,
a contributor to bone formation. Studies have related low vitamin K intakes
with increased risk for osteoporosis. Vitamin K is synthesized by intestinal
bacteria, yet the rate at which it is absorbed is not enough to maintain
necessary levels in the body. Therefore vitamin K must be consumed through the
diet. Dark green leafy vegetables, liver, alfalfa and kelp are all excellent
sources.
High intakes of
animal protein or sodium can increase the amount of calcium lost in the urine.
Studies have related vegetarian diets with reduced urinary calcium loss
compared to diets high in animal protein. Sodium by itself has the potential to
increase the amount of calcium lost in the urine. Since Americans tend to have
high protein diets, lowering your intake or substituting meat with beans or
tofu can help to spare calcium. Replacing soda with milk, and not adding salt
to your foods will also help.
Preventing
Osteoporosis through exercise
Regular
exercise aids in bone formation by adding mechanical stress to the bone and
greatly increasing the amount of minerals deposited over time. Bone development
is most effective when the activity is medium to high impact. Some of the best
exercises to strengthen your bones include: running, weight training, and stop
and go sports such as basketball, soccer and field hockey. The constant
pounding impact will increase bone density, and improve balance and agility
lessening the risks of falls and fractures.
For women there
are additional factors to keep in mind regarding exercise, sports, and
osteoporosis. The female athlete triad is a condition that often occurs in
young females involved in endurance and weight-control sports (dancing and
gymnastics). The triad consists of amenorrhea, disordered eating, and
osteoporosis which all lead to a lessening of bone density. Amenorrhea occurs
in female athletes when the menstrual cycle ceases because hormones become
highly imbalanced. The imbalance often takes place when extreme exercise
regimens and restricted calorie intake are present. Estrogen production is
therefore reduced, and its important support in bone formation is lost.
Disordered or irregular eating habits have a significant impact on bone density
as well.
Many athletes
feel stressed to maintain a certain figure to be competitive in their
respective sport; but without adequate calories, nutrients, and minerals, bone
deposition will not occur. When both of these conditions are present, density
is greatly lowered and it is comparable to post-menopausal women. Risk of
osteoporosis for these otherwise healthy athletes is increased.
Other
Factors
In addition to
exercise and nutrition other factors will influence how densely your bones
form. Excessive use of drugs such as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco adversely
affect bone deposition in many ways. Daily consumption of two to three ounces
of hard alcohol or two to three beers per day may be damaging to the skeleton.
Heavy drinkers have shown to have less dense bones and increased non-traumatic
fractures then that of individuals who don't consume excess alcohol.
Caffeine, in
high amounts, has the potential to impair calcium absorption, thereby reducing
bone density over time. Although this may seem as a major problem, adding small
amounts of milk to your coffee can offset this problem. This loss may also be
accounted for because of excess caffeine in the diet and inadequate calcium.
Finally,
smoking, in general, is bad for your body. In regard to osteoporosis, smoking
inhibits calcium uptake to a degree, reduces the formation of new bone, and
nicotine may have inhibitory effects on estrogen, which aids in bone formation
in women. Moderate consumption, or in the case of smoking, abstaining all
together from use is the best choice to aid in peak bone density formation.
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