Women and some men may develop weakened bones as they grow older, leading to breaks that are not precipitated by trauma. These weakened bones are called osteoporosis and can result in broken hips, wrists and backs. Your body increases the density of your bones until you reach your mid-20s. At that time the body begins to lose more bone that it creates. The development of osteoporosis occurs most frequently in women over the age of 50 who are thin and who do not have a history of weight resistance training.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease. Researchers estimate it affects one out of five American women over the age of 50, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the U.S. National Library of Medicine. MayoClinic.com physicians list severe back pain, loss of height, stooped posture and fractures of the back, wrist or hip as signs and symptoms of advanced osteoporosis. Because the condition rarely has symptoms until the advanced state, doctors at MayoClinic.com recommend that you have bone density testing if you are older than 65; postmenopausal with one risk factor; older than 50 with a history of broken bones; experience early menopause or are taking medications that are associated with the condition.
Prevention
The best way to combat osteoporosis is through prevention. The Center for Young Women's Health from Children's Hospital Boston recommends that you either stop smoking or never start, eat foods that are rich in calcium and get weight-bearing exercise, such as running, weight training and walking. If you cannot eat enough calcium in your diet -- approximately 1,300 mg each day for premenopausal women -- you may need a supplement in addition to high-calcium foods in your diet. If you need more than one supplement per day, take them at different meals to increase absorption rates.
Phosphate
Phosphorus is an essential mineral needed by the body that combines with oxygen to make phosphates. Most of the phosphate in the body is used as a major structural component of bone, but approximately 15 percent is found in the cells and tissues throughout the body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Phosphates are found in meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, nuts and legumes. Another source high in phosphoric acid and phosphate additives is soft drinks.
Phosphates and Osteoporosis
While phosphates are a necessary component of bone tissue, an over-abundance in the body can also be detrimental to the health of your bones. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University states that a large amount of phosphates reduces the formation of vitamin D in the kidneys, reduces the amount of calcium in the blood and leads to an increase in the release of parathyroid hormone. The increase in parathyroid hormone can have an adverse effect on the mineral content of your bones. Linus Pauling Institute reports that current research does not show evidence that dietary levels of phosphates in the U.S. will adversely affect bone density and lead to osteoporosis. However, by consistently substituting soft drinks for milk and other snacks high in calcium, you place yourself at risk for osteoporosis and bone loss.
