Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease with roots in genetics, endocrine function, exercise, and nutritional habits. Osteo means "bone" and porosis, "thinning" or "becoming more porous", together literally meaning "thinning of bones."
Adequate nutrition is critical in osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Many nutritional factors have been examined for associations with osteoporosis and bone mass. Calcium is essential for bone development and stability, and low calcium assimilation is believed to contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of calcium levels and increases its uptake in the intestine. Boron is involved in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus metabolism, contributing to prevention of bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Vitamin K2 from a vegetable source activates osteocalcin, the major noncollagen protein in bone and a specific marker of bone formation.
Copper, manganese, and zinc make up an essential trio in bone metabolism as cofactors for specific enzymes. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, trace minerals, and protein are components of bone tissue and are all found in microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (MCHA) in their natural ratios.
