Doctors use the term osteopenia to describe decreased bone density. Closely related to osteoporosis, osteopenia increases the risk of fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women. Since the body uses calcium to build strong bones, calcium plays an important role in preventing osteopenia. Discuss your osteopenia risk with your doctor to learn about preventive measures that will help you avoid complications.
Significance
Your bones contain 99 percent of the calcium in your body, reports the University of Florida's Shands Cancer Center. Only 1 percent of the calcium circulates freely in the blood. Bones need calcium for the ongoing process of bone resorption and formation. Your bones constantly remodel themselves by dissolving existing bone (resorption) and replacing it with new bone (formation). Without adequate calcium levels, resorption works faster than bone formation and bone density decreases.
Calcium Regulation
The parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in your bones and blood. By secreting parathyroid hormone, these glands affect how much calcium enters your bloodstream, how much remains in the bones and how much leaves your body in urine. When the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, your bones release too much calcium into your bloodstream. This leads to reduced bone density and increases the risk of osteoporosis.
Identification
Doctors use the dual emission x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to identify osteopenia and try to predict the risk of fractures. DEXA uses x-rays and a computer to determine bone density. The scan usually takes less than 10 minutes and uses little radiation. Radiologists express the results of a DEXA scan in terms of a T-score. The T-score compares your bone density to the bone density of a young adult in good health. A T-score of -2.5 to -1 indicates osteopenia, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Prevention
Since bones need calcium to stay strong, maintain an adequate calcium intake to minimize the risk of osteopenia. Columbia University reports that children ages 9 to 18 need 1,300 mg of calcium each day. Adults 19 to 150 years old need 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Anyone over the age of 50 should consume 1,200 mg each day. Since calcium requires vitamin D for proper absorption, your doctor may also recommend a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin K, potassium, vitamin C and magnesium promote proper bone formation. Limit your consumption of caffeine, sodium and soft drinks.
Infant Osteopenia
Premature infants have an increased risk for osteopenia, also known as neonatal rickets and osteopenia of prematurity. Since large amounts of calcium and phosphorus transfer from the mother to the fetus during the last three months of development, infants born too early may not receive the minerals needed to form strong teeth and bones.
