SILENT BUT SERIOUS: Why Bone Health Deserves Your Attention at Every Age

As an orthopedic surgeon, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate workings of the human body, particularly the skeletal system. Often, when we think about health, we prioritize the heart, brain, or other vital organs.

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But bone health is just as crucial, silently supporting our bodies and enabling us to live active, fulfilling lives.

Why should we care about our bones? The answer is multifaceted.

Bones are not just rigid structures; they’re dynamic, living tissues that perform several essential functions. They provide the framework that supports our bodies, protect our vital organs, and enable movement through muscle attachments.

Beyond these structural roles, bones serve as a reservoir for essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, crucial for various bodily functions. The bone marrow within our bones produces blood cells vital for oxygen transport and immune function.

Recent studies have unveiled another critical role of bones — their involvement in the endocrine system. This discovery underscores the complexity and importance of bone health, making it a topic that deserves our attention at every stage of life.

THE BONE REMODELING PROCESS

Bones are constantly undergoing a process called remodeling, where old bone tissue is broken down by osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and replaced with new bone tissue by osteoblasts (bone-forming cells).

This continuous cycle allows bones to adapt to the loads placed on them, repair damage, and maintain their strength.

During childhood and adolescence, bone formation occurs at a faster rate than bone resorption, leading to bone growth and increased bone density. By around age 35, we reach our peak bone mass.

After this point, bone loss gradually begins as bone breakdown occurs faster than new bone formation.

FACTORS AFFECTING BONE HEALTH

Several factors can influence bone health.