Osteoporosis - importance of healthy diet (particularly dairy products)

Osteoporoza je najčešća metabolička bolest kostiju, a karakteriziraju je mala koštana masa i poremećena mikroarhitektonska grada kosti te povećana lomljivost kostiju. Osteoporoza i komplikacije uzrokuju velik morbiditet i mortalitet osobito u starijim dobnim skupinama. Osteoporotički prijelomi, posebice vrata bedrene kosti, podlaktice i kralježaka, danas su jedan od najvećih javno-zdravstvenih problema modernog svijeta. Kost je živa struktura, stalno se razgrađuje i ponovo stvara. Ciklus pregradnje kosti traje oko tri mjeseca. Razgradnja kosti i stvaranje nove kosti dva su povezana procesa. Koštani sustav osigurava dvije osnovne potrebe organizma. Prvo, mora osigurati strukturnu potporu koja je dovoljno čvrsta, pokretljiva i prilagodljiva rastu organizma kako bi mogla zaštititi vitalne organe. Drugo, spremište je kalcija potrebnog za održavanje normalne koncentracije kalcija u krvi i tjelesnim tekućinama. Svaki dan, putem crijeva, mokraćom i znojenjem, kalcij se gubi iz organizma. Zbog tog obvezatnog gubitka kalcij se mora nadoknaditi putem hrane. U djece, kalcij se pojačano ugrađuje u kostur sve do otprilike 20. godine života, kada se postiže vrhunac koštane mase. Za taj proces potreban je dodatni kalcij. Postoje velike razlike u mišljenju koliko je kalcija potrebno u pojedinoj životnoj dobi za očuvanje zdravlja kostiju i zdravlja općenito. Preporučene dnevne doze razlikuju se u pojedinim zemljama kao i istraživača koji se bave tim pitanjem. Nutricijske potrebe kalcija najbolje je ostvariti putem uravnotežene, raznolike prehrane. Mliječni proizvodi su najvažniji izvor kalcija. U razvijenim zemljama svijeta otprilike tri četvrtine dnevnih potreba kalcija osigurano je putem uzimanja mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda.Osteoporosis is the commonest metabolic bone disease characterized by reduction on the bone mass, disturbed microrachitectonic structure and increased risk of bone fracture. Osteoporosis and its complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality particularly of elderly persons. Osteoporotic fracture particularly of the hip, whist and vertebral bodies are the major public health problem in the western world. Bone as a living organ where bone tissue is continuously being broken down and formed again. The bone remodelling cycle lasts approximately three months. Bone resorption and bone formation are two closely connected processes. The human skeleton has evolved to serve two sets of needs. First, it must provide a structural support that has to be strong, mobile, capable of growth and able to protect vital organs. Secondly, it must serve as a calcium reservoir capable of maintaining normal calcium concentrations in blood and body fluids. Calcium is lost from the body every day trough the intestine, urine and skin (sweat). Due to this obligatory, natural loss, calcium has to be replaced trough daily calcium intake. In children, growing skeleton continuously incorporates calcium until the age of approximately 20, when peak bone mass is reached. This process calls for additional dietary calcium. There is substantial disagreement as to what amount of calcium is required for various age groups in order to maintain bone health and health generally. The recommended dietary intake varies between different countries as well as between researches in the calcium field. It is recommended that people meet their nutritional requirements through a balanced and varied diet. Dairy products are the most important source of calcium. In many western countries around 3/4 of the required amount is covered by milk and cheese