Bone health

Bone health refers to the overall condition and strength of the human skeletal system, which is crucial for maintaining mobility, preventing fractures, and supporting overall well-being throughout life.

[2][3] Maintaining good bone health involves a combination of adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, regular weight-bearing exercise, and avoiding risk factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

[1][4] Recent research has also highlighted the potential role of the gut microbiome in bone health, suggesting a complex interplay between various physiological systems in maintaining skeletal integrity.

In addition to supporting and giving structure to the body, a bone is the major reservoir for many minerals and compounds essential for maintaining a healthy pH balance.

Illnesses like osteoporosis, characterized by weakening of the bone's structural matrix, increases the risk of hip-fractures and other life-changing secondary symptoms.

[8] The cost of treating these people is also enormous, in 1991 Medicare spent an estimated $2.9 billion for treatment and out-patient care of hip fractures, this number can only be expected to rise.

[10] Research dating back to the early 1900s has shown correlations between high protein diets and increased acid excretion.

This addition and subtraction of bone usually yields no net change in the overall mass of the skeleton, but the turnover process can be significantly affected by pH.

[17] Most metabolic processes have a specific and narrow range of pH where operation is possible, multiple regulatory systems are in place to maintain homeostasis.

Fluctuations away from optimal operating pH can slow or impair reactions and possibly cause damage to cellular structures or proteins.

To maintain homeostasis the body may excrete excess acid or base through the urine, via gas exchange in the lungs, or buffer it in the blood.

Anaerobic exercise, diabetes, AIDS, aging, menopause, inflammation, infections, tumours, and other wounds and fractures all contribute to acidosis.

The stimulation of the skeleton through physical activity promotes positive bone remodelling and decreases levels of homocysteine, independently from nutritional intake.

The combined responses of these cells to acidosis maximizes the availability of hydroxyl ions in solution that can be used to buffer protons.

Metabolic acidosis can become more severe as kidney function weakens, and the body will depend more heavily on bone and blood to maintain acid-base homeostasis.

Researchers suggest that children should get 20 minutes of vigorous activity 3 to 5 days a week to promote an increase in BMD.

When their bone density is low, there is a higher risk of microfractures in the vertebrae causing the spine to curve and bend.

Overall it is understood that high-protein diets have a net benefit for bone health because changes in IGF-I and PTH concentrations outweigh the negative effects of metabolic acid production.

Any differences in methionine and cysteine content is not significant to affect the overall potential renal acid load (PRAL) of the food.

[28] Minerals and vitamins are important aspects for bone health, and eating an adequate diet can help prevent obesity.

Intake of high amounts of magnesium can lead to an increase in bone mineral density, which reduces risks of fractures and osteoporosis.

Regular physical activity, particularly weight-bearing and resistance exercises, has been shown to improve bone density and reduce the likelihood of fractures.

[30] Osteoporosis and compromised bone mineral density (BMD) are significant conditionss affecting the youth population.

The study showed that a 9-month jumping exercise plan can increase the bone mineral content of a non-osteogenic sport participant by 5.6%-12.6%.