Bones are the supporting structures of our body. The provide us with movement and a good posture, and release calcium into the bloodstream when needed. Bone tissue is made up of bone cells and hard intercellular material, mineralized with calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, which gives the bones their strength. Just like the whole body, our bones are constantly undergoing production and degradation processes.
Bone cells called osteoclasts break down old and damaged bone tissue, while another type of cell, called “osteoblasts”, produces and forms new bone tissue. Osteoblasts secrete a protein called osteocalcin which, when properly activated, is able to bind calcium and is involved in bone mineralisation. Maintaining the right balance between the decay process regulated by osteoclasts and the bone production process performed by osteoblasts is crucial for good bone health. If this balance is disturbed due to a deficiency of calcium or any other substance, the bone density and mass are affected.
Bone growth and mineralization in humans is most intense during childhood and adolescence. The maximum bone mass is reached at around the age of 30. Later on, the bone mass declines steadily; in women, the decline is accelerated by hormonal changes near and during menopause. The state of bone mineralisation at an older age is said to be strongly influenced by the amount of minerals accumulated in the bones during one’s youth. At any age, it is important not only to get enough calcium, but also to ensure normal calcium metabolism in the body, for which, in addition to calcium, vitamins D and K and phosphorus are very important.
