What is Osteoporosis?

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them brittle and more susceptible to fractures. Each year, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men experience fractures due to osteoporosis.

How Bone Loss Happens

Our bones undergo continuous renewal in a process called bone remodeling, where old bone is replaced with new. Up until around age 30, the body builds new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, allowing bones to remain strong and dense. However, after age 30, bone formation begins to slow, and bone loss outpaces bone replacement, leading to a gradual decrease in bone density.

The Role of Calcium in Bone Health

Calcium is crucial for the proper functioning of muscles, cells, and nerves—and for maintaining bone strength. Our bodies get calcium from food and from the calcium stored in our bones. When we don’t consume enough calcium, the body pulls calcium from our bones, weakening them and slowing new bone formation.

Who is at Risk?

Fractures due to osteoporosis are most common in the spine, hips, and wrists, especially in people over 60. Women are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis due to several factors:

• Thinner Bones: Women generally have smaller, thinner bones than men.

• Estrogen Loss: Estrogen, which plays a key role in maintaining bone density, decreases significantly during menopause. This drop in estrogen accelerates bone loss, and some treatments, like breast cancer medications, can further reduce estrogen, worsening bone density loss.

In some women, low initial bone mass combined with rapid bone loss during the final years of menstruation can result in a loss of up to 20% of their bone mass.

Additional Risk Factors

Beyond age and sex, several other factors contribute to osteoporosis risk:

• Genetics: Those from white or Asian backgrounds or with a family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures have a higher risk.

• Medical Conditions and Medications: Secondary osteoporosis, which can result from conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and certain medications (like those for heartburn), further contributes to bone loss.

• Lifestyle Factors: Low calcium intake, nutrient-absorption issues (such as from weight-loss surgeries), inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can all weaken bones over time.

What Can Be Done?

While there is no cure for osteoporosis, bone loss can be managed with healthy choices. A balanced diet rich in calcium (such as dairy products), along with calcium and vitamin D supplements, can help keep bones strong. Regular physical activity, including weight-bearing exercises like walking, along with activities like yoga to improve balance, can reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

Sources:

Understanding Bone Health and Osteoporosis

Why Are Women at Greater Risk?

Mayo Clinic: Osteoporosis