Bone is a living structure and active, continually being reshaped through the formation of new tissue and removal of the old. This remodeling may be affected by nutritional deficiencies and excesses, but also by factors associated with lifestyle.
1. The age
During the first years of life (through adolescence), bone production exceeds losses due to remodeling. In youth formation and resorption are similar, in middle age, following the fall of the concentration of steroids, especially in postmenopausal women, reduces bone resorption by increasing training and at older ages the resorption of bone loss occurs more rapidly. As the bones of younger women wear the effects of bone has a greater effect on them.
During aging reduces bone mass and makes them more fragile. The decrease in volume is due to the loss of calcium and other minerals from bone matrix (demineralization). This process began over 30 years for women and lost about 8% of bone mass every 10 years. In men, the process begins at the same age and lost by 3% per decade.
The fragility is due to reduced protein synthesis, particularly collagen, bones that give the tensile strength. Therefore, minerals are an increasing proportion and the loss of tensile strength causes bones to become fragile and prone to fracture.
2. Size, body composition and obesity
Body weight and height are the major determinants of BMD. The small skeletons are at increased risk of osteoporosis, while individuals are more prone to high hip fracture.
In the young men and a high ratio lean / fat mass was associated with greater bone mineral mass, whereas in postmenopausal women, obesity is (a low ratio lean / fat mass) which is positively associated to bone mineral mass.
This dichotomy could be explained by the muscle osteogenic effect on young people and older people’s ability to absorb fat and produce endogenous shock.
3. Physical Activity
Sport. It is an important modulator of bone mass at all stages of life.
Physical activity is an important modulator of bone mass at all stages of life. Complete immobilization can lead to bone loss around 40%. Although both children and adults, physical activity associated with the normal routine has little effect on bone mass in postmenopausal women the frequent practice of physical exercise can prevent or reverse bone loss by almost 1% per year.
The osteogenic effects of exercise is an increase in the production of collagen and deposition of mineral salts secretion of calcitonin, which inhibits bone resorption. These effects are exerted primarily on anatomic sites where they made the effort. Activities involving weight bearing, such as walking and moderate weightlifting, help maintain and increase bone mass.
4. Snuff
The use of snuff has been associated with a small but significant reduction in BMD, particularly in men but also women. The mechanisms by which smoking reduces bone density are unclear.
5. Eating disorders
Anorexia and bulimia are one of the biggest food problems among adolescents and youth in developed countries. The first seems to lead to major disruptions on the bone, in most cases have been detected bone loss and 50% of patients reached the bone density lower than -2 SD values of age matched controls.
The estrogen deficiency associated with amenorrhea, probably plays a more important role in bone loss. Other influences are malnutrition and possibly over-exertion.
6. Malabsorption syndromes
Malabsorption syndromes such as cystic fibrosis and celiac disease are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis because of the situation of malnutrition and malabsorption generating calcium and vitamin D.
Inflammatory bowel disease is also associated with an increase in osteoporosis, with approximately 50% of patients suffering from osteopenia. This situation appears to be related to malnutrition, lack of exercise and use of corticosteroids.
Lactose intolerance is associated with a lower intake of calcium, having to avoid dairy products and thus are thought to increase the risk of osteoporosis. However, the results of the studies show only a slight tendency to increase risk in some cases.
Tags: Anorexia and bulimia, Bone, Bone Health, bone mass, Eating disorders, malnutrition, osteoporosis, Physical Activity, risk of osteoporosis
