Calcium And Your Bones
Bone Architecture
Bone structure is made up of calcium and phosphorous crystals embedded in
a framework of interlocking protein fibers. Hydroxyapatite (Bone-Up™) is the form of calcium
found in human bone tissue and is the predominant structural form of calcium. It is responsible
for 67% of the total bone weight, the remaining 33% being composed by collagen fibers
(Rheumatol Forte™).
The mineral crystals give the bone hardness, strength and rigidity. The collagen fibers impart
flexibility. Magnesium, fluoride, sodium, potassium, citrate and other trace elements act as a
"mortar" that bonds the calcium phosphorous crystals.
The hormone calcitonin from the thyroid gland triggers the deposition of calcium by the osteoblast
(bone building) cells while parathyroid hormone (parathormone) releases calcium from the osteoclast
bone cells.
Vitamins compose 1% of our total body weight, minerals 4% and calcium and phosphorous account for
75% of mineral weight. 99% of all calcium is in the bone and teeth with the remaining 1% in the
blood and soft tissues. The average adult contains 1,000-1,200 grams of calcium or 2.2-2.6 pounds.
Osteoporosis Defined
Although the percent of circulating calcium is relatively minute, the body’s
homeostatic mechanism will continuously cause the bones to release calcium into the bloodstream
in order to maintain proper blood levels. So, while serum levels of calcium can test normal, in
the absence of sufficient available dietary calcium, bone loss can be significant, this process
being a primary cause of osteoporosis.
Between 2-4% of a person’s skeleton is dissolved and rebuilt annually. This process is implemented
by the osteoclast and osteoblast bone cells. Poor nutrition and a suppression of progesterone levels
due to stress and other environmental antagonists result in a suppression of the osteoblast bone
cell function, in spite of the fact that osteoclast cells continue to dissolve old bone tissue.
This condition, especially when there is a loss of collagen, also results in osteoporosis.
In the U.S. more than one million fractures occur annually in women 45 years or older, 70% of whom
are diagnosed with osteoporosis. Hip fractures
carry a mortality rate of 12-15% and are the second leading cause of death in people 47-74 years of age.
Of the 190,000 hip fractures that occur annually, 2/3 are due to osteoporosis which costs the U.S. $5
billion each year. Post-menopausal women lose 0.7% to 2.0% of their bone per year; men lose 0.5%-0.7%.
Between the ages of 45 to 70, women lose 30% of their skeletal structure and men lose 15%. Calcium
supplementation of 1,000-1,500 mg. per day for persons who consume a high protein diet and 500-750 mg.
per day for vegetarians can reduce fracture rates by 50%.
Hormonal Influences
Because estrogen has a rate limiting effect on Osteoclasts, Estrogen Dominance delays the breakdown of bone tissue but does not support bone building (osteoblast function). Progesterone, on the other hand, stimulates osteoblast activity. Consequently, estrogens only slow down bone loss, not promote the formation of new bone tissue.
Factors for the maintenance of strong, healthy bones are:
Giving due attention to dietary choices;
Maintaining Optimal Levels of Friendly Bacteria (Vitamin K), Vitamin D and Calcium;
Learn to successfully manage stress.
Maintaining normal levels of progesterone;
Regular exercise (30-45 minutes four or five days per week).
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