In contrast, PTH promotes new synthesis. Another study presented at the World Congress showed that PTH could increase bone size as well as density. The change is attributed to smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, fewer pregnancies, and reduced calcium intake. Sufficient dietary calcium is required to create healthy bone mass early in life to offset potential losses. Properly gauging actual calcium intake can be confusing because different foods and supplements vary widely in calcium bioavailability.
Vitamin D is also critical to achieve optimal calcium absorption.
Fractures caused by low bone density are. According to Stephen Katz, the director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the major fracture sites associated with osteoporosis are the hip, spine, and wrist. In severe cases, the act of bending down to pick up a newspaper is sufficient to cause a spinal fracture.