Osteoporosis

Question 1

Types of Bone Cells

Answer 1

Osteoblasts - build bone tissue
Osteoclasts - break down bone tissue
Osteocytes - maintain bone

Question 2

What decreases osteoblasts?

Answer 2

not enough physical activity
insufficient Vitamin K2 (M7)
low growth hormone
low estrogen

Question 3

What increases osteoclasts?

Answer 3

low sun, dietary vitamin D
low estrogen
inflammation
low calcium
high parathyroid hormone

Question 4

Digestive/Dietary Causes of Osteoporosis

Answer 4

• low stomach acid is associated with low calcium absorption
• excess Phosphorus - encourages calcium excretion
• excess sodium - causes calcium loss
• caffeine, sugar and alcohol - increases Ca secretion

Question 5

Nutrient Deficiencies leading to Osteoporosis

Answer 5

• high calcium intake does not ensure strong bones and low calcium intakes do not necessarily lead to weaker bones
• Vitamin D - increase Ca absorption in the gut
• environmental toxins - fluoride, pulls calcium from bone
  smoking - see radicals may affect action of osteoblasts

Question 6

Reduced Estrogen & Osteoporosis

Answer 6

Main action of estrogen on bone is to:
- inhibit osteoclasts by increasing osteoprotegerin by osteoblasts
- inhibit production of inflammatory and bone-resorbing cytokines
Estrogen exposure decreased by: premature menopause, surgical menopause, amenorrhea, menopause

Question 7

Supplements for Osteoporosis

Answer 7

Calcium - in a bone building formula, only if not enough from food
Vitamin D3
Magnesium - improves bone density, prevents Ca from forming insoluble deposits /stones
Vitamin K2 (MK7)
EFAs - shown to promote calcium absorption and decrease excretion, increase deposition in bone

Question 8

Lifestyle Recommendations for Osteoporosis

Answer 8

aerobics, weight bearing exercises, stimulates bone growth
quit smoking
decrease alcohol