Osteoporosis and vitamin D

Other minerals that influence osteoporosis : Intake of potassium and magnesium in adequate amounts besides boron play a role in uptake of calcium by the bones and, therefore, help in preventing osteoporosis. 
Magnesium: Average amount of magnesium in an adult body is about 2000 milli-equivalents, 70 per cent of which is in the bones. Magnesium and calcium probably have common transport mechanisms in the intestines, kidneys and bones. It may therefore help in uptake of calcium by bones. But very high magnesium levels in diet may interfere with calcium absorption from the intestines. Normal blood levels of magnesium are about 1.5 – 2.0milli-equivalents / litre and average dietary intake is around 20-40 milli-equivalents/litre/day. magnesium-rich foods are, nuts, beans, mangoes wholegrains, and millets like bajra and jowar.
Calcium uptake by bones is also facilitated by potassium, and boron. 
Potassium can be obtained from fruits, pulses, tomatoes, brinjals (egg-plant) and curds. 

Boron can be obtained in abundance from grapes and raisins ( kismis).
Parathormone :Parathormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands situated near the thyroid gland in te neck. If there is a decrease in calcium levels in the blood, parathormone secretion is increased thus mobilizing calcium from the bones into the blood. Excessive secretion of this hormone can therefore lead to thin bones. 
Vitamin D. Vitamin D increases calcium and phosphorus absorption from the intestines and thus stimulates bone formation. The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) is 400 IU a day. (Vitamin D is measured in international units) Vitamin D is available to us as pro-vitamin or inactive form in skin, and as active form from food. On exposure to sunlight inactive form is converted to active forms. So exposure to sunlight is very important and even the aged should be encouraged to sit out in the sun at least for an hour everyday, to convert their inactive Vitamin D into the active form. 
Active Vitamin D is present in milk and its products, fish liver and yeast. Inactive Vitamin D from the skin is very efficiently converted into active. Vitamin D in the liver, as it is available only in small amounts at a time. But active Vitamin D from food is transported rapidly to the liver, and the liver degrades or destroys most of it to prevent toxic accumulation. Thus very little is available to the body for use. 
The ability to absorb and synthesize Vitamin D decreases with age. In a high – risk population, supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D, even when started late in life, shows demonstrable benefits in reducing fractures. 
Synthetic Vitamin D: Synthetic Vitamin D is available at calcifediol, alphacalcidiol, and calcitriol,. The first two have to be converted into calcitriol to become active. Calcitriiol-containing preparations are therefore more potent. Other agents are dihydrotachysterol and calcipotriol. 

Smoking : This has been identified as a risk factor for osteoporosis in both men and women and avoiding it is likely to hbe helpful in preventing osteoporosis.

Body Weight : There is a positive relationship between body weight and bone density in both men and women. This means that, more the body mass the less the likelihood of suffering from osteoporosis. In men, total body bone density has been correlated with lean ( muscle) but not fat tissue mass. In women osteoporosis has bee linked positively to fat tissues as well. It is, therefore, advised that in the growing period it is not good to have lower than normal body weight. 

Physical Activity : Physical exercise has long been known to stimulate release of growth hormone. This hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland in the brain and promotes growth including that of muscles and bones. Both aerobic and strength-training exercises, at sufficient intensity, benefit the skeleton in young and old alike. The skeletal effect is greatest at weight-bearing sites. Weight – bearing exercise (with weights or yoga) at an intensity that exceeds the level of usual daily activity three times a week for 30 minutes should help prevent bone loss in adults. 

Treatment of Osteoporosis


Osteoporosis can be managed with the following : 
Diet
Supplements
Drugs