Are Vitamin Deficiencies Related To Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by increased porosity of the skeleton resulting from reduced bone mass. The associated structural changes predispose the bone to fracture. Though osteoporosis is often associated with low calcium intakes, blood levels of the mineral are often normal, according to "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 2011." Vitamin D influences your body's utilization of calcium, and vitamin D deficiency is common in osteoporosis. By contrast, excessive vitamin A levels may also influence the disease.

Osteoporosis as Disease

Peak bone mass is achieved during young adulthood, and after age 40, a small deficit in bone formation occurs, at an average of about 1 percent each year. Osteoporosis involves a rapidly progressing demineralization of bone, especially the bones of the spine, hip, pelvis and wrist, which outstrip the body's mechanisms of bone repair. Many factors other than vitamin D deficiency are known to play a part in the development of the disease. These include alcohol and tobacco consumption, in addition to medications, hormones and activity level.

Vitamin D's Role

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions in calcium homeostasis. Calcium is needed to replace bone loss in a process known as bone remodeling. Adequate storage levels of vitamin D therefore help to maintain strong bones. In certain populations, including postmenopausal women and those who have difficulty exercising, enough vitamin D might help prevent osteoporosis.

Vitamin D Intake and Sources

Vitamin D is present in foods such as fatty fish, egg yolk, and fortified foods, including milk, breakfast cereals and orange juice. Also, your skin is able to synthesize the vitamin on exposure to sunlight. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends that adults take 2,000 IU of the vitamin in supplement form, to ensure adequate intake. To develop a plan to prevent or treat osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about your vitamin D needs.

Considerations

Vitamin A is another vitamin that may play a role in osteoporosis, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, unlike vitamin D, it is excessive intakes of vitamin A that may increase your risk of the disease. Researchers in Sweden conducted a small study on vitamin A intake and bone mineral density and found that women who consumed 1,500 micrograms per day of vitamin had lower bone mineral density and higher rates of hip fracture compared to women whose intake was 500 micrograms per day. The recommended intake of vitamin A in adults is between 700 and 1,300 micrograms per day.