You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Approximately 99 percent is in bones and teeth. The other 1 percent is needed for blood vessels, nerves and muscles to work properly. It's also needed for the secretion of hormones,...
The human skeleton is composed mainly of a substance called bone, and there are primarily four types of cells that make up bone. These are the osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and osteocytes. Their names all start with the prefix...
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by deterioration of bone tissue and low bone mass, resulting in fragile bones. It affects approximately 10 million Americans, with over 34 million others at risk of developing the disease, according to...
Estrogen and progesterone are both female hormones produced in the ovaries. The primary function of both hormones is to produce primary female characteristics, such as the breasts, and regulate the menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone also...
As you age, your bones can become more brittle, which may lead to a condition known as osteoporosis. Brittle bones can set you up for fracture and a decreased quality of life. Adequate intake of vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D...
Women have three main sex hormones--progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. Each of these hormones plays numerous roles in the body, and a healthy balance of the three is important for the body systems to function properly. Progesterone, for...
Osteoporosis is the softening and weakening of the bones due to loss of calcium. It is most common in older women, but men can also develop the disease, according to PubMed Health. Although the bones are low on calcium, it is still possible to...
The skeletal system is critical because of the role of bones both in protecting vital organs and for providing leverage for muscles. As a result, bone development begins well before birth so that the fetus is born with a full set of bones....
Bones consist of living cells responsible for breaking down old bone tissue, known as osteoclasts, and cells that build new bone tissue, known as osteoblasts. The process by which these cells digest and reabsorb old bone tissue and lay down new...
Cortisol is a hormone normally released during times of stress, to help regulate the body's stress response. The signal for cortisol secretion begins in the pituitary gland, a gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary secretes a hormone called...
The deadlift is a common form of strength training exercise that is used to target multiple muscle groups simultaneously. The deadlift begins with a barbell filled with weight starts on the ground. The barbell is then lifted off the ground from a...
The human skeletal system consists of 206 bones that form the framework for the body and the tendons, ligaments and cartilage that connect the bones together. The skeletal system provides structure, protects the internal organs, produces blood...
Osteopenia is a weakening or decalcification of bone, decreasing overall bone density below normal. Those who suffer from osteopenia are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis later in life. Exercise under normal conditions is a preventative...
Brittle bone disease is a genetic disorder, medically termed osteogenesis imperfecta, that has several types ranging from mild to severe. The National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases explains that this disease is...
Femara is the brand name of the medication letrozole, an aromatase-inhibitor that is used to treat early and advanced estrogen-dependent breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Femara blocks the enzyme aromatase that is necessary for production of...
Besides being the base structure of the body in skeletal form, bones, along with joints and muscles, determine the range of motion for joints, the force that can be produced and the specific movement allowed in the body. The skeletal system is...
The bones support and protect the body as well as facilitate movement and store minerals. The inside of some bones contain bone marrow, which makes blood cells. Many types of diseases damage the bones. The diagnosis of bone disease includes a...
PTH, or parathyroid hormone, is produced by four small glands, called the parathyroid glands, which are located in your neck behind your thyroid gland. Parathyroid hormone works with calcitonin, a hormone made by the thyroid gland, to control...
Your bones along with your muscle tissue provide the strength and structure your body needs to have both shape and movement. However, as you grow older, your bones can weaken as part of the natural aging process. One way to help combat this effect...
Estrogen is a group of sex steroids produced by the ovaries of females and the testes of men. Estradiol is the main estrogen hormone involved in bone mineral density for both genders. Levels of estradiol can vary depending on your stage of life....
Healthy bone needs stress. As much as we hear about stress being bad for the body, the opposite is true when it comes to strengthening bone because stress -- specifically the stress of impact -- catalyzes bone cells to react by laying down new...
Your bones play a variety of important roles in your body, which include working in concert with your muscles to provide movement, protecting vital internal organs, storing calcium and other important minerals and being the site of blood cell...
The bone that makes up your skeletal framework is a dynamic structure that is constantly evolving throughout your lifetime. Bone is composed of a complex matrix of minerals like calcium and phosphate, specialized molecules and proteins, and a...
Weight-bearing exercises include all activities that require you to move your body against gravity while in an upright position. Common weight-bearing exercises include dancing, hiking, jumping rope, yoga, Pilates, aerobics, stair climbing and...
Vitamins are essential organic compounds needed in small quantities for metabolic processes. They cannot be produced by the body. Thus, they must be supplied by a person's diet. Although each vitamin has its own specific role, in general,...
Braces are placed on teeth to correct alignment, make room for new teeth (in children's cases) and ensure a proper bite when the jaw comes together. Today's technology makes braces both quicker and more effective than the previous...
If you are a woman, you are at an increased risk for losing bone density. When enough bone density is lost, you can develop osteoporosis. Changing your diet by increasing the amount of soy you eat can prevent osteoporosis and even reverse bone loss.
Calcium is an important mineral for the human body. It is essential for muscle contraction, but also essential to the structure and health of the bones. Bones are continually remodeling and reforming, and calcium is a vital part of this process....
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge within the body, enabling the transmission of electrical impulses sent by nerves. Electrolytes regulate blood pressure by balancing the level of fluid inside and outside of cells....
