Osteoporosis - The Weakening Support of Life

Osteoporosis is a very common syndrome that,Women need the female hormone estrogen keep
although far from being fatal has affects that cantheir bones going strong. Unfortunately, its production
mar the patient's normal course of life. Among thereduces with time.
largest number of organs which the human bodyOnce a person reaches the age of 35, he attains the
constitutes, bones nearly top the list. With 206peak value of bone mass and what next? He starts
bones, human body gets perfect balancing postureslosing it. In women, the rate of bone loss gains pace
and support during movements. Unfortunately,after menopause, which is precisely the time when
Osteoporosis is a major obstacle for the finethe estrogen level falls. There is also another reason
functioning of the bones as it decreases the densityfor bone mass reduction in women. If due to some
of the bones to a large extent due to which thereason, the ovaries are removed, the estrogen
bones fail to offer the required support to the body.production is stopped. Since the hormone is quite
In women, Osteoporosis take charge generally afteressential in maintaining the strength of the bones,
menopause which is called postmenopausalOsteoporosis is quite likely to sprout.
osteoporosis. The disease is quite common amongTo prevent further bone mass loss, a hormone called
females as the bone starts losing its initial density dueCalcitonin is externally consumed, generally as a shot
to lack of calcium. Precisely, Osteoporosis isor spray. Apart from that, a drug named Ibandronate
diagnosed when the bone mineral density is less thanSodium helps minimize bone deterioration and
or equal to 2.5 standard deviations below that of aincreases its density.
young adult reference population. This is commonlyThe best treatment of any disease is its prevention.
known as a T-Score.Hence, it is always advisable to consume sufficient
There are particularly three mechanisms by which thecalcium in the form of milk and other dairy products.
body gets prone to Osteoporosis viz. peak boneAccording to the age, one must consume appropriate
mass which in brief, is the condition when theamount of high and medium calcium foodstuffs. High
skeleton develops insufficient mass and strengthcalcium products include, skimmed, low fat milk,
during its growth process, excessive bone resorptionyogurt, cheese/cottage cheese, sardines with bones
and inadequate formation of new bone duringetc. whereas medium calcium food items include,
remodeling. The bone tissue gets fragile and brittlebeans, bok choy, corn tortillas, broccoli, tofu, fish with
during these three mechanisms.bones, mustard greens, almond and turnip greens.
The fact that the occurrence of this disease is moreChildren and teens up to the age of 20 should be
common in women than in men has some concretegiven enough calcium rich diet as they have a very
reasons. Women have less bone mass than men. Thebusy and hectic schedule. Besides, the body accepts
density is already less as compared to that in men.nutrients better in this age. Pregnant women should
Secondly, though it might sound crazy, but womenalso observe utmost care about the presence of
tend to live longer than men. During their relativelycalcium in her diet.
longer lifespan, they get less intake of calcium.