Osteoporosis, Anorexia and Bulimia
Nutrirional Deficits Impact Bone Strength and Bone Mineral Density
Apr 18, 2009
The definition for bone density is, "the amount of bone tissue in a certain volume of bone. It can be measured using a special x-ray called a quantitative computed tomogram." Whether the eating disorder is anorexia or bulimia, the end result is loss of nutrients, especially calcium, which are vital for both bone health and conditioning.
What are Porous Bones?
Bones have small cavities comprised of blood vessels and bone marrow. When nutrients are lost the cavities enlarge, consequently, weakening the bones. Weakened bones make them more susceptible to breaks, especially vulnerable are the wrists, spine and hips.
As a person ages, bone mass decreases, thinning out the bones. The formation of new bone takes longer, and the bone that already is present is destroyed more quickly. Throughout this process the bones lose nutrients resulting in a condition known as osteopenia (medterms.com, written for a website, no author or date). With the loss of nutrients increases the likelihood that bones will become weakened and more susceptible to breaks.
Eventually, osteopenia becomes osteoporosis, a more serious condition. Both men and women can obtain it. However, it is most common in women as they age. The more healthier the bone, the longer it will take before osteoporosis sets in (webme.com, written for a website, no author or date).
Optimum Bone Density Level
Younger, disordered eating sufferers, run the risk of missing out upon reaching their peak bone density levels. That is, during the growing years, the bones are forming and growing and eventually, the concentration of bone mass reaches a peak level. Eating disorders, especially in the young, work against their bones reaching their peak density mass. Thus, the bone loss incurred during the eating disorder, even if only for a short period of time, means substantial damage to the bones. What normally may take decades for osteoporosis to set in for normal eating adults, will set in during the early 20s for younger, disordered eating persons. Thus, there is twice the impact for the young population. To reiterate, men are not excluded from this condition.
Improving Bone Condition
Healthy eating, healthy weight maintenance and weight bearing exercises are essential for proper bone growth, development and maintenance. Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D helps to improve, possibly prevent/hold off the onset of aging bone loss.
Oestrogen Loss
Amenorrhoea, or cessation of the menstrual cycle is another factor resulting in bone mineral density loss. Eating disorders can cause the disruption of the menstrual cycle. The woman's body produces oestrogen as long as the menstrual cycles are functioning. Once menstruation ceases, the oestrogen level decreases, due to the lack of production. Thus, the lack of oestrogen is another contributing factor to fragile bones.
For women who have lost oestrogen due to the cessation of their menstrual period, oral contraceptive pills may be prescribed. Even with treatment, this does not guarantee that the condition may be completely reversed.
Finally, bones need special nutrients to grow and develop properly. If these nutrients are denied access to the bones, either through starvation or binging and purging, the bones cannot strengthen, nor increase their mass normally. Thus, there is an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a fragile bone condition at an early age, for both women and men.
Other Eating Disorder Articles:
Note to the reader: This article is not intended to treat or diagnose a condition. Please seek qualified, professional help, if there are concerns.
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