Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the loss of bone density and the breakdown of bone tissue. During the aging process, bones become weaker, more brittle and less dense. They then break more easily, especially those of the hip, pelvis, spine, legs or wrists.
Every year theosteoporosis is responsible, in France, for nearly 400,000 fractures, which sometimes have significant consequences on the autonomy and quality of life of those affected. The calcium and vitamin D status is essential to limit this bone disease.
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About 2 to 3 million French women are affected: 20% of women after 60, 40% after 70 and 70% after 80. However, men are also affected by this condition. One in four patients is a man.
Vitamin D-Calcium: a winning duo
The vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health. Indeed, this promotes the absorption by the intestine of the minerals essential to the bones (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.) and regulates their fixation in the bone. Vitamin D also makes it possible to work out the structure of the bone, which is made of proteins, structure on which the calcium and the other minerals will then come to fix to consolidate it. Without vitamin D, calcium can’t settle. In addition, in sufficient quantity, vitamin D gives the signal to our genes to manufacture the necessary quantity of proteins to produce the framework of the bone.
For a solid skeleton, calcium is a determining element because it gives it its properties of rigidity.
To fill up with vitamin D, you have to bet on a good Alimentation : oily fish, eggs, milk, soy drinks as well as beef liver. The body synthesizes it mainly thanks to UV rays.
In case of vitamin D deficiency, the doctor may prescribe an additional intake. This is usually a few drops of D3 daily (better absorbed than D2).
He demonstrated that thevitamin D-calcium combination reduces the risk of fracture of the femoral neck in women over 80 with deficiency and in institutions.