A health condition that increases the likelihood of fracturing a bone, osteoporosis seems to be more prevalent in those with the Hepatitis C virus. Could it be a coincidence that osteoporosis typically affects those in their golden years and that baby boomers constitute a majority of Hepatitis C infections in the U.S.? Although experts disagree about the relationship between Hepatitis C and osteoporosis, a study cites how those with this common liver virus can protect against osteoporotic bones.
About Osteoporosis
Most of us think of bone as a hard, solid structure, but bone’s strength is due the density inside its complex infrastructure. In general, higher bone density means stronger bone. Often referred to as porous bones, osteoporosis describes a loss of bone density.
A living body structure, our bones are constantly changing via a renewal process. This is called bone remodeling – the ongoing replacement of old bone tissue by new bone tissue. This involves two steps:
- Bone resorption – the removal of minerals and collagen fibers from bone
- Bone deposition – the addition of minerals and collagen fibers to bone
Typically the result of an endocrine imbalance or poor calcium metabolism, osteoporosis occurs when bone resorption outpaces bone deposition. This is usually due to calcium depletion. When calcium is pulled off the bones faster than it can be replaced, it leaves them thinned, brittle, chalky and prone to injury.
Bone density naturally decreases after age 35, and is five times more likely in women than men.
