Normal
OsteoporosisWhat is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes a decrease in the bone density, decrease in bone strength and resulting in fragile bones. Osteoporosis leads to abnormally porous bone that is compressible. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures in the bones.
Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which gives the bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can fracture with relatively minor injury. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking or collapsing. The spine, hips, ribs, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis although osteoporosis-related fractures can occur in almost any skeletal bone. Around the world, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men are at risk of an osteoporosis fracture.
Causes and risk factors
Cigarette smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Lack of exercise
Diet low in calcium
Malabsorption
Low oestrogen levels in womens
Low testoterone levels in men
Chronic inflammation
Inherited disorders
Others
A Silent Disease, Symptoms
Osteoporosis can be present without any symptoms for years because osteoporosis does not cause symptoms until the bone breaks. Some osteoporotic fractures may escape detection for years as well when they do not cause symptoms. The symptom associated with osteoporotic fractures usually is pain; the location of the pain depends on the location of the fracture. The symptoms of osteoporosis in men are similar to the symptoms of osteoporosis in women.
Consequences of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis may limit mobility. Additionally, twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year from either complication related to the broken bone itself or the surgery to repair it.
Treatment for Osteoporosis
There are many steps that can be taken to prevent and diagnose osteoporosis. It's now a largely treatable condition and, with a combination of lifestyle changes and appropriate medical treatment, many fractures can be avoided.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for building strong, dense bones when you're young and to keep them strong and healthy as you age. Every day, you lose calcium through your skin, nails, hair, sweat, urine and faeces. Your body cannot produce its own calcium. Try to get the daily amount recommended from food and supplements as needed to make up any shortfall.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in protecting your bones by helping your body absorb calcium and by supporting muscles needed to avoid falls. If you don’t get enough vitamin D, you are more likely to break bones as you age.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K activates proteins that play a role in blood clotting, calcium metabolism and heart health. One of its most important functions is to regulate calcium deposition. In other words, it promotes bone health and low levels of circulating vitamin K have been linked with low bone density. There are several studies that have shown that supplementation with vitamin K results in improvements in bone health.
In fact, new evidence points towards the potential role of vitamin K in:
- Slowing down bone loss after menopause in women.
- Increasing bone strength and decreasing and/or limiting the risk of fractures in people suffering from osteoporosis.
Functions of Vitamin K2 on Osteocalcin
Osteocalcin is a vitamin K-dependent bone protein synthesized by osteoblasts (bone building cells). It provides the “glue” that holds calcium in the bone, giving structure and order to bone tissue; without it the bone would be fragile and easily broken. Vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin through a process called “carboxylation”. Without carboxylated osteocalcin, calcium cannot be properly utilized for bone structure.
Functions of Vitamin K2 on MGP
Based on recent studies, it has also shown that Vitamin K2 helps prevent the calcification of arteries and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), a potent inhibitor of soft tissue calcification, which may cause other health issues. Calcification of atherosclerotic plaques may occur as the condition progresses, resulting in decreased elasticity of the affected blood vessels and increased risk of clot formation, which is the usual cause of heart attacks and stroke.
Evidence now suggest that vascular calcification shares many similarities to bone metabolism. One of those regulatory proteins is Vitamin K-dependent Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), and the nutrients required to activate the MGP is Vitamin K.
By taking Vitamin K2, not only can we potentially prevent the damage from osteoporosis from escalating, but we can also ensure the calcium that we intake is fully utilized for the repair of bone structure. Vitamin K also plays an important role in minimizing risk of vascular calcification.
This is for educational purposes only. Kindly consult healthcare professionals for further information.
This is for educational purposes only. Kindly consult healthcare professionals for further information.