Causes of osteoporosis
The exact cause of osteoporosis is believed to be a combination of factors which can broadly be broken down into two groups (fixed risk factors and modifiable risk factors):
Fixed risk factors
Fixed osteoporosis risk factors are those that are unable to be changed, such as age, gender, and family medical history. It is believed that hereditary factors are usually the dominant predictor of whether or not an individual will develop the disease.4 Fixed risk factors include:
- Age - in young, healthy bones, old bone is replaced as quickly as it is lost in a process called ‘bone remodelling’. As a person ages the body is no longer able
to replace bone tissue as fast as it’s lost. This leads to a thinning of the bones which can result in osteoporosis.
- Hormonal Causes - the female hormone oestrogen is responsible for maintaining bone strength. During the menopause oestrogen levels drop leaving the bones thinner,
diminishing their original strength. For this reason the majority of women who suffer from osteoporosis are post-menopausal. Although men also suffer from bone
tissue loss, the rate of loss is slower than in women and the chance of developing the disease less.
- Genetics – men and women with a family history of osteoporosis, or women who have small body frames, are at greater risk of developing the disease.
Modifiable Risk Factors
Although hereditary factors play a large part in determining whether an individual will develop the disease, modifiable risk factors (those that can be changed or
influenced) also contribute to what causes osteoporosis. If you are at risk due to hereditary factors, a healthy lifestyle can help delay or prevent age-related bone
loss that may lead to the disease. Osteoporosis causes that are modifiable include:
- Diet - bones are repaired and reinforced by a range of proteins and minerals absorbed from the bloodstream. They include calcium, phosphorus, proteins, and amino
acids. Including calcium and vitamin D in your diet will ensure that bones are properly repaired and strengthened.6
- Exercise - participating in regular weight-bearing exercise throughout your adult years can be a significant factor in osteoporosis prevention, as this helps to
strengthen bone tissue.
- Drinking and Smoking - another osteoporosis cause can be the overuse of alcohol, and regular smoking. Drinking moderately and not smoking are therefore good
methods of osteoporosis prevention.
