Osteoporosis isn't just a disease that affects older women. Young people who have HIV can have low serum calcium levels and develop osteoporosis. Researchers aren't sure whether this is because of the virus or the medications used to fight the disease, but weak bones are seen more frequently in patients in this population. To combat fragile bones, a combination of nutritional practices and preventive measures is necessary. Discuss any dietary changes with your doctor before starting them on your own.
HIV and Calcium
If you have HIV, you are at higher risk for alterations in calcium in your body. You might have low serum calcium levels that are due to low protein levels in the blood. This is caused by muscle wasting or malnutrition, according to The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource. Chronic low calcium is also a risk of HIV, and it can lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteopenia is a mild loss of bone mass and density, while osteoporosis is more severe and more likely to lead to fractures. If you take protease inhibitors to control your HIV, you are at high risk for these bone conditions, according to the "Internet Journal of Laboratory Medicine."
Calcium Recommendations
If you are younger than 30 years old, it is recommended that you get the daily allowance of calcium to reach your peak bone density. Bone continues to grow until this age, then gradually declines. If you are 9 to 18 years old, aim to get 1,300 milligrams per day of calcium, according to The AIDS InfoNet. If you are 19 to 50 years old, get 1,000 milligrams per day, and if you are over 50, try to get 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. You can get enough from your diet by eating green leafy vegetables and dairy foods, but if you are at risk for bone disease, you might need to take a supplement.
Scanning for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis has no symptoms until you break a bone. However, your doctor a procedure called the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, or DEXA, scan that measures how porous your bones are and can determine if you are at risk for a fracture. This scan determines your "T-score," and a score of -2.5 or lower indicates that you have osteoporosis. Currently, the only populations recommended for DEXA scans are women over 65, men over 50 with risk factors such as smoking and anyone under 50 with a chronic disease such as Crohn's disease, according to "The Positive Side." Experts recommend that those with HIV and especially those with HIV over 50 have the scan every few years.
Other Considerations
You can do other things besides taking calcium supplements and getting DEXA scans to protect your bones. Vitamin D supplements are important to aid in the absorption of calcium. Aim to get 1,000 IU daily. Magnesium is another mineral that supports calcium and bone health. You can take 350 to 500 milligrams of this mineral per day, according to the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange. Weight-bearing exercise is also important for building strong and healthy bones, along with maintaining a healthy weight. Try to decrease your intake of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and sodium to help your body process calcium properly.
References
- The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource: Chemistry Panel
- Internet Journal of Laboratory Medicine; A Comparative Study of Serum Electrolytes, Total Protein, Calcium and Phosphate Among Diabetic and HIV/AIDS Patients in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria; E.I. Ugwuja and N.A. Eze
- AIDS InfoNet: Osteoporosis
- The Positive Side: Boning Up on Bone Health
- Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange: Managing the Effects of HIV and Meds on the Body
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