Throughout your life, your bones undergo a continuous process of remodeling. Old bone is broken down as new bone tissue is formed, helping maintain the integrity of your bones. As you get older, however, old bone is resorbed at a faster rate than the growth of new bone, which can lead to weakened or brittle bone tissue. When you lose weight at a more rapid rate, some people believe it affects the resorption and formation of bone tissue. But dietary interventions aren't as likely as surgical ones to lead to bone loss.
Dietary Intervention
A study conducted by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in 2008 found that bone mineral density and bone mineral content did not change as a result of weight loss. Even when the weight loss was rapid in nature, promoting close to 25 lbs. of weight loss in just 10 weeks, no significant changes were seen in total body bone health. Participants in the study followed a calorie-controlled diet consisting of 30 percent fat, 15 percent protein and 55 percent carbs as well as an intake of 900 to 1,200 mg of calcium each day. Further research is needed to determine if bone loss may occur after prolonged periods of rapid weight loss.
Effects
Though bone health wasn't compromised in the study, losing a significant amount of weight in a short period of time isn't without its own set of dangers. One of the more common complications is the development of gallstones. When you lose weight rapidly, it can increase the level of cholesterol in your gallbladder. At the same time, this organ may have difficulties expelling bile. These two factors can set the stage for gallstones. Their development, however, can often be prevented by medications.
Surgical Intervention
While dietary changes to promote weight loss don't appear to affect the integrity of bone density, the same cannot be said for rapid weight loss as a result of gastric bypass surgery. A study conducted by the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati found that teens who underwent gastric bypass surgery saw an average bone mineral loss of 7.4 percent over the course of two years. These findings are in line with the decline in bone mass seen in adults after this weight-loss procedure.
Calcium
To maintain bone health and density, try to get at least 1,300 mg of calcium each day between the ages of 9 and 18. After this age, the recommended daily allowance decreases to 1,000 mg a day. Women over the age of 50 should get at least 1,200 mg a day, whereas men over the age of 70 should get the same amount.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Very Low-Calorie Diets; August 2008
- Cleveland Clinic; Very Low-Calorie Diets; November 2006
- MedPageToday.com; Bone Health Preserved Despite Rapid Weight Loss; John Gever; September 2008
- MedlinePlus; Teens' Weight Loss Surgery May Weaken Bones; March 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
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