Study develops theory surrounding osteoporosis
January 4, 2012
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain developed a theory surrounding osteoporosis based on what they found on deer antlers.
The researchers discovered the loss of manganese may actually be the root cause of osteoporosis and not the loss of calcium. In fact, the lack of calcium may be a consequence rather than the origin.
“Antlers grow by transferring 20% of the skeleton’s calcium towards their structure. We therefore saw that it was not calcium deficiency that caused the weakening but rather the deficiency of manganese,” said team researcher Tomas Landete. “The lack of manganese was almost as if the ‘glue’ that sticks calcium to antlers bones was missing.”
Now, they are waiting for the scientific community to confirm their findings. This could change the way in which doctors treat the disease.
Seniors who already have osteoporosis may have a higher chance of falling, which can lead to serious injury. Caregivers who are looking after a elderly loved one may want to purchase a medical alert system, which gives a senior the ability to contact emergency services in the event of a fall.
