Chapter 9: Nutrients Important for Bone Health

Question 1

collagen

Answer 1

A strong, fibrous protein made up mostly of glycine and proline amino acids.

Question 2

hydroxyapatite

Answer 2

The primary crystal of bone formed from calcium and phosphorous.

Question 3

trabecular or cancellous bone

Answer 3

Less dense bone with a lattice-like structure. Also called spongy bone

Question 4

cortical bone

Answer 4

Dense, strong bone that surrounds trabecular bone tissue. Also called compact bone.

Question 5

osteoblasts

Answer 5

Cells that build new bone tissue.

Question 6

osteoclasts

Answer 6

Large cells that break down bone tissue.

Question 7

osteocytes

Answer 7

Star-shaped cells that are the most abundant cell type in bone tissue.

Question 8

bone remodeling

Answer 8

Process in which bone tissue is broken down and then rebuilt at the same location.

Question 9

bone resorption

Answer 9

Process in which osteoclasts secrete hydrogen ions, which acidify the local
environment and dissolve the minerals in the bone tissue matrix.

Question 10

osteoid

Answer 10

Bone tissue that is not mineralized.

Question 11

Bone mineral density

Answer 11

Measurement of the amount of calcified tissue in grams per centimeter squared of bone tissue.

Question 12

dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Answer 12

A procedure during which two X-ray beams pass through a person and calculate the amount of calcified tissue in grams per unit area of bone.

Question 13

calcium

Answer 13

The most abundant mineral in mineralized bone tissue. Good dietary sources of calcium are dairy products and many vegetables with low oxalate content, such as kale, collard greens, and okra

Question 14

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Answer 14

Parathyroid hormone acts to increase calcium levels in the blood

Question 15

calcitriol

Answer 15

The active hormone produced by vitamin D that also helps to increase and regulate blood calcium levels.

Question 16

calcitonin

Answer 16

This hormone has the opposite effect of calcitriol and parathyroid hormone and aids in the maintenance of blood calcium levels by decreasing the calcium level as necessary.

Question 17

Vitamin D

Answer 17

Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining calcium homeostasis. A deficiency in vitamin D compromises bone health.

Question 18

nutritional rickets

Answer 18

A childhood bone disease caused by a lack of vitamin D. It is characterized by soft, weak bones that are susceptible to fracture.

Question 19

osteomalacia

Answer 19

Similar to nutritional rickets, in adults this disease involves softening
and weakening of the bones due to a lack of vitamin D or a problem metabolizing the vitamin.

Question 20

Phosphorus

Answer 20

A mineral that makes up a substantial part of mineralized bone tissue. The dietary sources are non-genetically-modified soy, legumes, whole grains, dairy, nuts, and seeds.

Question 21

magnesium

Answer 21

A mineral that is part of mineralized bone tissue. The dietary sources are meat, fish, dairy products, whole grains, nuts, chocolate, and coffee

Question 22

fluoride

Answer 22

A mineral that blocks tooth decay and is part of mineralized bone tissue. The primary dietary source is fluoridated water.

Question 23

vitamin K

Answer 23

A vitamin that acts as a coenzyme that modifies proteins important for bone health. The dietary sources are green vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, parsley, spinach, and lettuce

Question 24

osteoporosis

Answer 24

Excessive bone loss over time

Question 25

osteopenia

Answer 25

Lower than normal bone mass

Question 26

peak bone mass

Answer 26

The greatest amount of bone mass that a person reaches during their lifetime.

Question 27

T-score

Answer 27

Compares the patient’s BMD to the averaged BMD of a healthy thirty-year-old population of the same sex.

Question 28

risk factor

Answer 28

A variable that is linked to an increased probability of developing a disease or adverse outcome

Question 29

estrogen

Answer 29

Primary female reproductive hormone.

Question 30

primary prevention

Answer 30

Actions taken to avoid developing a disease before it starts

Question 30

secondary prevention

Answer 30

Strategies focused on halting or reversing a disease after it has developed.