Home > Osteomalacia prevention -Vitamin D - Soft bones
Prevention of osteomalacia (soft bones) is by exposure to sufficient sunlight (ultraviolet B light), exposure to UV-B lamps, dietary intake of balanced foods and use of supplements of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus.
Prevention of osteomalacia in pregnant women and nursing mothers
Pregnant women are among the high risk group for osteomalacia.
During pregnancy there is increased fetal demand of vitamin D and calcium.
As the pregnancy progresses there is greater demand of calcium for the growth of soft bones of fetus. Pregnant women if they continue with their normal diet during their late pregnancy their calcium and vitamin D reserves get depleted and osteomalacia occurs.
To protect from osteomalacia, pregnant women should have sufficient exposure of sunlight, eat food high in vitamin D and take calcium and calcitriol supplements.
Lactating mothers lose calcium and vitamin D through the milk.
Hence nursing mothers are also prone to deficiency disease of osteomalacia in them is by following the prevention methods as in the case of pregnant women.
Prevention of osteomalacia in vegans and vegetarians
Vegans and vegetarians may be eating calcium sources of vegetarian food.
However for the absorption of calcium in the gut they must have sufficient calcitriol (vitamin D).
If they are deficient, they may also develop osteomalacia.
The prevention is by resorting to exposure to sunlight, balanced food and supplements.
The slant of sunlight greatly reduces the availability of the UV-B rays required for calcitriol production in the skin.Prevention of soft bones in adults living in higher latitudes
People living in higher latitudes are highly prone to develop osteomalacia as the incidence of sunlight is at a greater angle in higher latitudes, especially in winter.
In winter the available time of the sunlight itself is reduced.
For the prevention of osteomalacia they must take dietary supplements of vitamin D and UV-B light exposure under medical guidance.
Soft bones in dark skinned adults
The darker color of the skin is due the presence of melanosomes (bundles of melanin pigment). Greater number of melanosomes contribute to darker skin. The melanin deposits function as sunlight filters.
In dark skin very less amount of UV-B rays reach the synthesis areas compared to lighter skin for the same time of exposure leading to deficiency and soft bones.
For protection deficiency and soft bones the dark skinned people should get more exposure to sunlight and if necessary take dietary supplements.
Prevention of osteomalacia (soft bones) in elderly persons, persons affected by gastrointestinal disorders, renal disorders and certain types of cancers is a vast subject by itself.
These are the very high risk adults groups for soft bones and constant monitoring of their blood serum levels for calcium is necessary for preventing of osteomalacia, apart from constant efforts to shore up their calcium and vitamin D levels.
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Osteomalacia.
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Current topic:
Vitamin D for prevention of osteomalacia and soft bones.
Related posts:
Osteomalacia.
Causes.
Symptoms.
Diagnosis.
Treatment.
Rickets in children.
Current topic:
Vitamin D for prevention of osteomalacia and soft bones.
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