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Arteriosclerosis, Calcium & Osteoporosis

Jul 17, 2011 | By Sandi Busch
Arteriosclerosis, Calcium & Osteoporosis
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Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and osteoporosis, which is loss of bone density resulting in weak and brittle bones, are both connected to calcium. In arteriosclerosis, calcium accumulates where it is not wanted. In osteoporosis, it's lost from the bones that need it for strength. But there's another seemingly unrelated nutrient involved in this process, and that's vitamin K.

Calcium and Osteoporosis

Calcium is an essential mineral that serves many vital roles in the body. As the primary structural component in bones, it's needed throughout your life for the continuous rebuilding of worn or injured bones. This remodeling process begins with old calcium being dissolved and reabsorbed into the bloodstream. If old bone dissolves more quickly than new bone forms, the result is osteoporosis.

Calcium and Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, which is also called atherosclerosis, describes a medical condition in which the artery walls become thick and hardened. This happens when a portion of the artery wall is injured, which is often due to conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Fats, cholesterol and calcium accumulate at the injury site, creating an arterial plaque. The plaque is soft in the beginning but over time the calcium hardens to form arterial calcifications. The risk of coronary artery disease can be predicted by the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, according to Harvard University.

The Connection

In addition to the role played by calcium, another connection between arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis was first made when researchers discovered that patients with severe heart disease also have a high incidence of osteoporosis. Loss of calcium from the bones means extra calcium circulating in the blood, and that increases the risk of more settling into arterial plaques. When osteoporosis and arterial calcification occur at the same time, it's called the "calcification paradox." The paradox is explained by two different proteins that both depend on vitamin K. One of the proteins regulates bone calcification and the other inhibits blood vessel calcification. Vitamin K is needed to keep calcium in the bones and out of the arteries, so lack of vitamin K may result in osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis.

Dietary Calcium and Vitamin K

Obtaining sufficient calcium and vitamin K in your diet reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis. Broccoli and leafy greens such as collards, kale and spinach are good sources of both nutrients. Other sources of vitamin K include cabbage, peas and blueberries. Milk, yogurt, cheese, beans and ready-to-eat cereals are additional dietary sources of calcium.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Jul 17, 2011

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