Diabetes and Bones

Diabetes can also affect the bones as well as everything else. At one point and time, medical research had thought that this only applied to those with type 1 diabetes, but discovered later, that bone problems have significance in people with type 2 diabetes as well.

No one really understands about the connection of bone problems with diabetes, but there have been some good theories about it. One thing that has been theorized is that the longer the person has having diabetes, the more the loss of bone mass which takes place. This is because of the lack of insulin in the body or not using it efficiently, researcher's say. And high glucose levels in children with type 1 diabetes primarily, can also stunt bone growth.

Another thing about type 1 diabetes, is that this group of diabetic people have shown that they have lower levels of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is supportive of bones. If the supply of D becomes depleted, then likewise, it can create poor bone health.

Persons with type 2 diabetes, have demonstrated that their bones become fractured much easier than in someone without diabetes. This has also been demonstrated that those with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have greater loss of bone mass period. Women that have gone beyond their menopausal years and have type 2 diabetes, have shown low or depleted levels of vitamin D. This sets the stage for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis causes very easy bone breakage. This bone disease is more likely to happen in those people who do not reach their peak bone mass at an earlier age like they should. This bone condition can attack any bone in the body, and cause hip fractures, wrist fractures, and on down the line. Osteoporosis can also have an effect on the spine and cause trouble in mobility as well.

Another thing that diabetes has been found to cause in bone loss, is the depletion of calcium supply right along with Vitamin D loss. Without the right amounts of both of these supplements, there is a lot of bone turnover which causes bones to breakdown and re-build again and again. With only very little or no calcium and Vitamin D, bones are not going to be normal in their bone density, so the result is weak bones.

That is why it is all the more important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements so that bone health is better supported. Children, especially those with diabetes should get at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily, and adults, 1,000 milligrams per day with an upper limit of not more than 2,500. Besides supplements, many foods offer calcium such as dairy products.