Calcium and Osteoporosis

Bone Architecture

Bone structure is made up of calcium and phosphorous crystals embedded in a framework of interlocking protein fibres. Hydroxyapatite 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 collagenous fibres. The mineral crystals give the bone hardness, strength and rigidity. The collagen fibres 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 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 percentage 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

The standard medical protocol for osteoporosis is to use oestrogen, (commonly synthesized from pregnant mare’s urine), in spite of the fact that the most authorative medical textbooks do not support it, as the following example illustrates: Scientific American's updated Medicine text, 1991:

Therefore, oestrogens should not be expected to increase bone mass. Bone tissue should be broken down and rebuilt continuously, just like all of the cells in our body. This process takes place when osteoclasts help to dissolve old bone tissue, while osteoblasts stimulate new bone growth. Because oestrogen has a rate limiting effect on osteoclasts, oestrogen dominance delays the breakdown of bone tissue but does not support bone building (osteoblast function). Consequently, oestrogens only slow down bone loss, and do not promote the formation of new bone tissue. Natural progesterone, on the other hand, stimulates osteoblast bone cell activity which results in new bone tissue growth.

Osteoporosis Research

The efficacy of natural progesterone is verified by a three year study of 63 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. Women using transdermal progesterone cream experienced an average 7-8% bone mass density increase the first year, 4-5% the second year and 3-4% the third year. These results have not been found with any other form of hormone replacement therapy HRT or dietary supplementation. Untreated women in this age category typically lose 0.7% to 2.0% bone mineral density per year.

Conclusion

Maintaining proper levels of Natural Progesterone, giving due attention to dietary choices, managing stress and regular exercise are all vital components of strong, healthy bones.