Comprehensive Vitamins & Minerals For Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis brings a loss of bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. The MayoClinic.com further describes osteoporosis as a decomposition of bone, where the structure is very brittle and porous. Janice Thompson, Ph.D., author of Nutrition: An Applied Approach, describes osteoporosis as a disease. More than 40 million in the United States are already afflicted, according to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. A multitude of vitamins and minerals play a critical role in maintaining bone health, but calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K and phosphorus receive the most attention in the prevention and the slowing of osteoporosis.

Calcium

The main mineral in the prevention and slowing of osteoporosis is calcium, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Dr. Thompson states calcium's primary role is to provide bone structure; in fact, approximately 99 percent of calcium is stored in bones. Calcium and phosphorus work together to allow for crystallization, thus forming hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite builds the collagen foundation of bone, thus allowing for bone hardness and flexibility, according to Dr. Thompson.

Dr. Thompson states there is currently no recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for calcium; however, consuming too little calcium causes the body to extract it from bone to maintain blood calcium levels, resulting in a loss of bone mass.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which regulates blood calcium and phosphorous concentrations to maintain bone health, according to the MayoClinic.com. Dr. Thompson explains vitamin D primarily regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the small intestine, allowing it to increase or decrease blood calcium levels as necessary. It signals to the kidneys to excrete more or less calcium to the bladder for urination.

Similar to calcium, vitamin D has no RDA. However, deficient vitamin D levels result in a loss of bone mass, according to the MayoClinic.com.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that serves as a coenzyme in the process of blood clotting and bone metabolism. Vitamin K assists in the production of osteocalcin, a protein which promotes bone health and strength via bone turnover. The process of blood clotting from vitamin K consumption also protects bone from fractures, while preventing post-menopausal bone loss, according Dr. Thompson.

Currently, no RDA exists for vitamin K. However, studies have shown reduced amounts of vitamin K consumption have led to increased risk of bone fractures, according to Dr. Thompson.

Phosphorus

Next to calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the body, as it plays a critical role in bone formation. Part of hydroxyapatite, phosphorus assists in the mineral foundation of bone. Approximately 85 percent of phosphorus is stored in bone, while the rest is stored in soft tissues, such as muscles and organs, according to Dr. Thompson.

The phosphorus RDA for adult men and women is 700 mg/day. Although phosphorus deficiencies in the United States are rare, a deficiency can develop in alcohol abusers, premature infants and in the elderly who consume nutrient-deficient foods.