Osteoporosis

First, an explanation of how our bones are built. They consist of two basic building blocks:

• A special fabric (matrix) that gives them shape and stability.
• Various minerals that are embedded in the matrix. These include above all calcium and phosphate, which ensure that the bone structure is compacted and strengthened.

Bones must be extremely strong and stable on the one hand, but also elastic and flexible on the other. Bone metabolism is a very complex and highly sensitive process. The bones in the human body are undergoing a constant transformation. Continuous build-up and degradation processes take place. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone build-up and osteoclasts for degradation. Up to about 35 years of age, more bone mass is predominantly built-up than degraded. Afterwards a change takes place and the degradation process accelerates with increasing age.

In people affected by osteoporosis, bone resorption predominates, which leads to cavities in the bone. These cannot be sufficiently replenished and bone density decreases.

A balanced nutrition is the key to healthy bones. Because as it is often said: You are what you eat. Above all, the right amounts of vitamins (especially vitamin D), minerals, calcium and protein are crucial. In combination with a physically active life, you can improve the health of your bones and muscles. Don’t worry, you don’t have to change your entire eating habits from scratch. Usually it is enough to eat consciously and make small changes.

Calcium is known to strengthen the bones. In order to optimally supply the bones in your body, you should pay attention to a varied and bone-healthy nutrition. Osteoporosis patients without specific drug therapy should take in about 1,000 to a maximum of 2,000 milligrams of calcium daily with their food. For better understanding: One litre of milk or 100 grams of hard cheese contains one gram of calcium. However, children, adolescents, premenopausal women and men up to the age of 60 are excluded. If the increased calcium supply cannot be converted, supplementation in tablet form is an option.

Give priority to foods that support your metabolism. We recommend green vegetables and fruit as well as cereal products and potatoes. Meat, sausage and high-fat food should only be included in your diet in moderation. The same applies to sugar and salt. It is also particularly important to drink enough liquid. Cook with fresh food and focus on a gentle preparation of the ingredients.

Depending on the cause, the disease is divided into primary and secondary osteoporosis. The primary form covers about 95 percent of cases and develops primarily due to an estrogen deficiency, i.e. during the menopause in women. In addition, primary osteoporosis occurs in both men and women due to the natural aging process of bones, calcium, vitamin D and lack of movement. Secondary osteoporosis is very rare and can occur in both genders. It is usually a consequence of certain diseases or drug therapies that have a negative effect on bone metabolism.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoporosis is one of the ten most common diseases worldwide and is therefore considered a widespread disease. It is difficult to determine an exact number of people affected because the disease often goes undetected. It is estimated that approximately 6 million people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis, with over 80 percent being women. Every year there are about 885,000 new cases in Germany.