Nutritional guidance
Bones are dynamic living tissue. Although many people think of the skeleton as solid and lifeless, it’s very much alive, constantly breaking down and renewing itself in a two-step process called bone remodeling. The rate at which bone remodeling happens is affected by how much calcium is stored in the bones and introduced in the diet, as well as by three catalysts (vitamin D, hormones, and exercise)-actually 24 nutrients are needed including – the B vitamins, and Vitamin C which builds collagen, which is the protein piece of the bone. Hormones are the directors of the entire process of keeping bone in proper balance. Many hormones contribute to the balance, but the hormones noted here are the most important. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) Parathyroid hormone (also known as PTH) is a director. The parathyroid gland, which is actually a set of four small glands located near your thyroid gland, produces this hormone. PTH provides for the exquisite regulation of calcium metabolism. For example, when the serum level of calcium drops, the parathyroid gland synthesizes more hormone. PTH instructs the kidney to hold onto more calcium. It also directs how much calcium is allowed to be stored in the bone. Basically, PTH is the traffic director of calcium, regulating how much calcium you absorb with your diet, how much calcium your kidneys secrete, and how much calcium your bones store Calcitonin , a hormone produced by the thyroid gland, inhibits bone removal by osteoclasts, and promotes bone formation by osteoblasts. Estrogen is a hormone that is instrumental in regulating women's menstrual cycles. Estrogen also works with the parathyroid glands to keep calcium levels in balance. The drop in estrogen levels at menopause is one of the reasons why women begin to develop osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency is one of the most important factors in the development of bone fragility. For some reason, estrogen deficiency results in the production of more osteoclasts and more active osteoclasts. Testosterone - Although you may associate the hormone testosterone with men, both men and women produce testosterone. Testosterone helps maintain strong bone and muscles, and stimulates bone formation. Testosterone deficiency clearly is associated with osteoporosis. Vitamin D has many important functions in addition to its role in mineralization. For example, vitamin D helps to maintain normal blood levels of calcium by promoting calcium absorption in the intestine. Hence, vitamin D helps keep bones from becoming thin, brittle, or misshapen. An adequate amount of vitamin D in your diet or through vitamin D supplements prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia, a condition where bones are soft and brittle, in adults. and last but not Least - Vitamin K Vitamin K is not a single nutrient, but the name given to a group of vitamins of similar composition. The two main groups of vitamin K that occur naturally are vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). K1 is found in many dark green leafy vegetables and K2 is produced by bacteria in fermented foods. **Vitamin K’s most essential role is in coagulation, or blood clotting, due to its function in the creation and activation of clotting factors. These factors work together to form blood clots and scabs, an essential supportive step in the healing process. Clotting is just one of the many versatile roles of Vitamin K. This superhero nutrient is also critical for a healthy heart, strong bones and normal calcium absorption. Osteocalcin, a protein made by the bone building osteoblast cells, is dependent on Vitamin K for proper functioning. Osteocalcin’s ability to bind minerals depends on processes similar to those involved in blood clotting. This process, Carboxylation is what helps make minerals sticky so they can bind together, making bones dense and strong. Bones are made by laying down a base of collagen and other proteins, which are then filled in with mineral crystals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. This action is directly driven by the presence of enough Vitamin K. Osteocalcin, which cannot become sticky due to lack of Vitamin K, may be a major factor in bone breaks and fractures.
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