Know April C. Mason, Ph.D. William D. Evers, Ph.D., RD Erin E. Hanley, RD Osteoporosis, meaning porous bone, is a disease that is characterized by a deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased susceptibility to bone fractures, especially in the hip, spine and wrist. The prevalence of this painful and often crippling disease is unfortunate, because it can be prevented through proper nutrition, activity, and lifestyle. This publication discusses causes of the disease, how it can be prevented, and how it can be treated. Because osteoporosis is a disease of the bones, it is important to understand bone anatomy and the function of calcium in the body.
Bone is a living, growing tissue made up of water, minerals, protein, and fat.
Veins and arteries in bone tissue supply it with necessary nutrients. Bone mass refers to the amount of bone tissue in the skeleton, while bone density is a measurement of how tightly the tissue is packed. During resorption, the osteoclasts create small cavities on the surface of bone. The osteoblasts then follow with bone building by filling the cavities with new bone. This is called bone remodeling.