Table of Contents
Function of the Skeleton
The skeleton provides support and protection for numerous organs. For example, the skull protects the brain, and the ribs protect the heart and lungs. Some bones also produce blood cells (hemopoiesis), and calcium and phosphorus are stored in bones. Another significant function of the skeleton is providing attachment points for muscles. The skeleton is divided into two divisions.Axial Skeleton
The axial skeleton consists of the skull, rib cage, and vertebral column, totaling about 80 bones.Appendicular Skeleton
The Appendicular Skeleton consists of the upper and lower extremities, such as the arms, legs, shoulder girdle, and pelvic girdle, totaling about 126 different bones. All bones together form approximately 300 joints in the human body.Types of Bones
Bones continuously renew themselves, with older parts of bones being broken down and a new layer being laid down to replace the older part. During youth, newer bone tissues are laid down relatively faster than old bone tissues are replaced. This leads to bones becoming larger, thicker, and heavier. Unfortunately, this process changes when we reach around thirty years of age. From around the age of thirty, bone tissue is broken down faster than new bone tissue is built. Fortunately, resistance training can counteract this process. Training causes the tendons of muscles to pull on the bones, providing extra stress on the bones, promoting growth and repair. There are different types of bones: Long bones: For example, the humerus (upper arm bone). Short bones: For example, the carpal bones (wrist bones). Flat bones: For example, the scapula (shoulder blade). Irregular bones: For example, the vertebrae (spinal bones). Sesamoid bones: For example, the patella (kneecap). Many bones have depressions and projections, which are ideal attachment sites for muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The vertebral column consists of: 7 cervical vertebrae (Cervical) 12 thoracic vertebrae (Thoracic) 5 lumbar vertebrae (Lumbar) Sacrum consists of 5 small vertebrae (Sacrum) Coccyx usually consists of 4 small fused tail vertebrae (Coccyx)Types of Joints
There are many different joints in the body. A joint is a place where one bone meets another bone. Joints are classified by both their structure and function. Many joints are highly mobile, while others are not. There is a correlation between the mobility and stability of joints. A very mobile joint is weaker than a joint with little freedom of movement. The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the human body, making it less stable, which can lead to injuries or even dislocation in many people. There are different types of joints, a few examples of which are: Hinge joint: Elbow (Hinge joint) Pivot joint: Ulna and radius rotating over each other when you turn the forearm. Saddle joint: Thumb and metacarpal bone together. Ball-and-socket joint: Shoulder (ball and socket joint) Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that connect bones to bones. These provide static and dynamic stability and allow the nervous system to sense the position and pressure of the ligaments. Ligaments have almost no or only a small blood supply and therefore are not well capable of healing after a tear. Often, this needs to be repaired through surgery. In conclusion, it is important to remember that bones consist of living tissues. The peak of our bone mass is reached at around our thirties. After this, less bone tissue is formed than is broken down. The strength of bones can be better maintained by doing resistance exercises. Especially for women, this is very important because women have smaller and less strong bones than men, and the breakdown process accelerates during menopause. Osteoporosis is an age-related disease in which bone density slowly decreases, making bones increasingly brittle. Although osteoporosis is a natural form of wear and tear, it can be very troublesome because the risk of bone fractures increases. Tips for maintaining strong and healthy bones include:- Eating well and varied with sufficient calcium intake.
- Intake of sufficient vitamin D (sunlight).
- By moving and exercising enough, bones can remain strong longer.
Is Weight Loss Bad for Your Bones?
Researchers from Boston have shown that weight loss can be associated with poorer bone density. Is weight loss bad for the skeleton and your bones? The research was conducted by researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife’s Institute for Aging Research at Boston University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Calgary. Their findings were published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research [1]. The researchers used data over 40 years from participants in the Framingham Study. The thickness and condition of the shinbone and forearm bone were measured in the participants. They measured weight every four to six years and looked at the effects on bones in the short term over six years and in the long term over 40 years. They showed that men and women who lost weight both in the short and long term had more deteriorations in their bones than people who did not lose weight. The changes were most significant in the shinbone, which is expected since it experiences the most difference in load. These changes were significant and meant nearly a tripling in the chance of bone fractures for people who had lost 5 percent or more of their weight over 40 years. The researchers therefore warn:Older adults who are losing weight should be aware of the potential negative effects on the skeleton and may want to consider counteracting these effects through interventions such as weight-bearing exercise and eating a balanced diet. Given that weight loss is highly common in older adults, further work is needed to evaluate if these bone deficits can be prevented through interventions or therapy Elizabeth Samelson, Boston University
Bone Fracture Due to Weight Loss?
It is unfortunate that I can only read the summary because it raises many questions. Especially about the nature of weight loss. What did this consist of? Fat mass, muscle mass, or both? We know, for example, that aging is accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass. This decrease, in turn, affects bone density. Not only the decrease in weight but also the decrease in activity and thus the load on the bones contributes to deterioration. We also do not know how the weight loss came about. Whether this was due to a diet and what kind of diet. Or how often there was fluctuation in diet. We also know nothing about the amount and type of activity and its effect.‘Too Light’ or ‘Too Heavy’?
Most importantly, it should be emphasized that no comparison is made with other health effects in any way. So we cannot say whether the decrease in bone density, for example, resulted in a healthier cardiovascular system or better blood sugar. Whether weight loss was ultimately advantageous or disadvantageous also depends, of course, on the weight itself. If there is overweight, bone density will be of lower priority. Actually, the study tells us nothing new at all. Bones need loading, and body weight is an important factor in this. So it is logical that a decrease in weight can be accompanied by a decrease in the strength and density of your bones. You can only get yet another reason to touch the weights in the gym and not just stand on the treadmill. It is another reason to realize that strength training and muscle mass are important components of your health. Looking at the current fitness trend, strength training seems to be thankfully much more popular, especially among women.References
- doi: [ 10.1002/jbmr.3472]
