Maintenance of Calcified Tissues

Bone remodeling continues throughout life, but around age 40 osteoclastic activity begins to exceed osteoblastic activity with a net loss of bone on the average of 1.2% per year.¹⁸  The nutrients known to affect bone formation include vitamin A, C, D, K, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.¹⁹

Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract to maintain calcium balance.  When calcium intake is inadequate, vitamin D stimulates osteoclasts to help mobilize the calcium stored in bone.  Both collagen synthesis and accumulation of mineralized bone are dependent on adequate levels of vitamin D and calcium.⁷

A nutrient seldom discussed in terms of bone health is vitamin K.  There is, however, an association between vitamin K insufficiency and reductions in bone density and possibly bone strength.²⁰  This may be of particular concern among people taking vitamin K antagonists such as oral anticoagulants as a significant decrease in bone mineral density has been observed.²⁰

Minerals involved in the calcified tissues include boron, calcium, copper, and magnesium.  A recent epidemiologic study using the NHANES III data found the risk of periodontal disease was 56% greater in women with dietary intakes of calcium below 500 mg/day and 27% greater for those taking in less than 800 mg/day.21  The study goes on to suggest that low dietary calcium intake results in more severe periodontal disease.  However, it remains unclear how calcium supplementation might impact the course of periodontal disease.21  Furthermore, evidence is accumulating that indicates a correlation between systemic osteoporosis, alveolar bone, and ultimately tooth loss in post-menopausal women.22-25

Click Here To Navigate Within Article >> Abstract Introduction Nutrition in Periodontal Health Integrity of the Oral Mucosa Nutrient Effects on Collagen Healing and Maintenance Maintenance of Calcified Tissues Maintenance of the Host Immune Response Patient Populations at Nutritional Risk Dietary Recommendations References About the Authors
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Citation Number: Vol. 2, No. 2, Page 040