Osteopenia is defined as bone density that is somewhat low. It is used to describe the stage between "normal" and "osteoporosis". It indicates that the bones are starting to become more fragile and that the risk of fracture is greater (4 times greater, in actual fact). Untreated osteopenia will develop into osteoporosis. The health advice given for osteoporosis also applies to osteopenia.
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Medicines and calcium have different purposes, and each is useful in its own way. Calcium is the essential raw material for the mineralization of bones or their solidity. Bones need calcium, whether they are fragile or not. Medication is the active agent that controls the balance between bone destruction and formation. It can be useful in preventing or treating osteoporosis. Therefore, the fact that you are taking calcium does not justify going without medication in an osteoporosis treatment program, and vice versa.
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Yes. Vitamin D is required for the absorption of calcium, whether contained in your diet or taken as a supplement. Magnesium is also involved in bone mineralization, but a balanced diet provides a sufficient quantity of this. As far as zinc is concerned, we know that it plays a part in the synthesis of collagen, a protein that forms the matrix of your bones. Neither magnesium nor zinc have a significant effect on calcium absorption, and there is no need to take them as supplements if you are eating a well-balanced diet.
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