Today 20th October 2022, is World osteoporosis day. The purpose of celebration of day is to increase awareness about osteoporosis.
As we all know that deficiency of calcium and vitamin D are responsible for many bone diseases like osteoporosis, rickets and osteomalacia. But today, I will try to relate and explain the fact that, “ HOW VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OSTEOPOROSIS?“
WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
In osteoporosis, osteoclastic activity of cell is more than the osteoblastic activity means absorption of bone i.e., removing is increase as compare to deposition or forming of bone. To understand this, we first try to understand normal physiology of bone
PROCESS OF BONE FORMATION
We can divide bone into two parts,
1.Tough organic matrix
2.Deposits of calcium salts which strengthen bone.
The tough organic matrix of bone is 90 to 95 percent collagen fibers and remainder is homogeneous gelatinous medium (extracellular fluids, proteoglycans, especially chondroitin and hyaluronic acid). The collagen fibers extend primarily along the lines of tensional force and give bone its power full tensile strength.
HOW ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) DEFICIENCY WEAKENS COLLAGEN FIBRES THROUGH OUT BODY.
Vitamin C play an important role in the synthesis of osteoid tissue i. e, initial substance for bone formation (in other words, we can say that it is un-mineralized tissue that undergoes calcification and deposited as layer in bone matrix means collagen fibers). Vitamin C play important role in the synthesis of collagen fibers. Ascorbic acid is essential for activating the enzyme propyl hydroxylase which promote hydroxylation step in the formation of hydroxyproline, an internal constituent of collagen. With out ascorbic acid, the collagen fibers that are formed in virtually all the tissues of the body are defective and weak. Therefore, this vitamin is essential for the growth and strength of the fibers in the subcutaneous tissues, cartilage, bone and teeth.
VITAMIN C AND ESTROGEN
As we all know that, in women estrogen is a systemic regulator of bone metabolism. It strengthens the bone and prevent them from being porous and spongy. The osteo protective effects of estrogen may be due to decreased osteoblast apoptosis and oxidative stress that’s why it is considered as a osteoblast stimulating activity hormone. Now the question is that,
” What is relation between estrogen and vitamin C?”
Studies show that both vitamin C and estrogen send signal to osteoblast for the formation of new bone tissues. A study published in 2010, in the, Journal of surgical research reveals that vitamin C with estrogen promote osteoblast development and promote new bone formation i.e., collagen fibers synthesis. Now, it becomes quite easy to understand the mechanism why vitamin c deficiency increases the risk of fracture because it is necessary for the secretion of intercellular substances by all cells, including formation of osteoid by the osteoblasts. VITAMIN C also increase estrogen effects which is osteoblastic stimulating activity that will prevent bones from osteoporosis. After menopause estrogen level becomes none, so osteoporosis is observed in women after menopause.In short, to prevent osteoporosis vitamin C intake is essential along with others micro- nutrients because it has key role in synthesis of initial substance of bone which is collagen fiber. Lack of vitamin C formed defective and weak collagen fibers which in turn make weak bone matrix which is ultimately leading to osteoporosis.
SOURCES OF VITAMIN C
Guava, pepper and citrus food as lemon, orange
WHY CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS ALSO CONTAIN ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
This article will make it easier to understand the co-relation among calcium, vitamin D and vitamin C.
VITAMIN C helps in formation of initial substance of bone which is collagen fiber.
While with VITAMIN D and CALCIUM calcification of bone occurred that strengthen the bone.