The term "brittle bone disease" is used to denote both oesteogenesis imperfecta, or OI, as well as osteoporosis. Each leads to weak bones that are more susceptible to fractures. In OI, the bones truly are brittle, while in osteoporosis, bones become more porous with age and the structure of the bone weakens. Potassium is one of the minerals that make up the structure of the bone.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disease that affects between 20,000 and 50,000 Americans. The term means "imperfect bone formation." Those who suffer from OI have bones that break easily, often from mild trauma or even from no obvious cause. In severe cases fractures can even occur before birth, and multiple fractures are common during a person's lifetime. In most cases, the disease is caused by mutations in the genes needed to make collagen, a protein that functions as a scaffold and holds together skin, bone and other tissues.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in the world and afflicts more than 44 million Americans. "Osteoporosis" means porous or brittle bones. In a healthy person bones are constantly undergoing a process called remodeling, in which bones are gradually torn down -- releasing calcium into the bloodstream -- and then rebuilt. But as the body ages, bone is gradually destroyed and not rebuilt, leaving the bone structure thinner and more fragile.
Potassium
Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium make up the bone crystals and provide the structure of the bones. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, there are significant associations between potassium and osteoporosis, with high potassium intake correlating with higher bone density. Potassium-rich foods also help to make substances that prevent the body from becoming too acid. When the body becomes too acidic, it releases calcium from the bones into the bloodstream to try to resume normal acid balance.
Collagen and Minerals
Normal bone structure starts with collagen. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, carbon and potassium are laid down in this flexible matrix to form bone. One characteristic of osteogenesis imperfecta is abnormal collagen, according to a study published in "Micron" September 2005. Researchers performed bone biopsies on patients with OI and found that the normal structure of the bone was frayed, twisted and sparsely distributed. They reported the abnormalities would prevent minerals such as potassium from being deposited in the bones and lead to bone fragility.
References
- "Micron"; Unexpected Ultrastructral Changes in Bone Osteiod Collagens in Osteogenesis Imperfecta; P. Sarathchandra and F. M. Pope; September 2005
- National Institutes of Health; NIH Research Matters; Gene Involved in Brittle Bone Disease; April 2011
- National Library of Medicine; Genetics Home Reference; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; November 2007
- NurseCE.com; Osteoporosis: The Brittle Bone Disease; Peggy M. Goulding, Ph.D. and Shelda L. Hudson, R.N., B.S.N., P.H.N.; 2011
- PubMedHealth; Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Brittle Bone Disease; Neil K. Kaneshiro, M.D., M.H.A. and David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A.; August 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute; Micronutrient Center; Potassium Jane Higdon, Ph.D., et.al.; December 2010
