The human body is the most highly developed organ system on the planet. Human beings have the highest developed neural system and a brain that does not just take care of the physical functions of the different organs, fights bacteria, and protects us from the dangers of the outside world, it also allows the humans to have a well-developed consciousness and creativity. 

The inner structure of our body is all muscles, tissues, and a skeleton made of bones, that supports and forms a frame for our whole body. The doctors from the best orthopaedics hospitals in Bangalore and other cities advise taking very good care of the bones and muscles in order to ensure their good health. 

WHAT ARE BONES MADE OF

Bones are the rigid and inflexible parts of our body, forming the support and framework in the form of a skeleton. Unlike other organs, muscles, and tissues, bones are hard and solid. Various bones form a human skeletal structure and are combined with other bones through joints, that allow more freedom for movement than solid bones. 

Some bones are not completely solid but a little flexible than other bones while the others are harder, depending on their function. For example, the bones that make up our feet and legs are very strong and hard as they are supposed to support the full body and help it move against the gravity of our planet. 

Mostly, calcium phosphate makes up the bones along with proteins, living tissues, bone cells, and also bone marrow. The different bones of the body like pelvic bones, vertebrae, shoulders, arms, legs, etc. have different formations as they perform different functions in our body. 

IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN D

The most important mineral that makes up the contents of our bones is calcium. So our bones need to be enriched with calcium if they have to stay strong and maintain their rigidity. But the absorption of calcium from the blood to the bones and conversion to bone cells is a complex process that is performed with the help of Vitamin D in the blood.

Just like all other organs and the cells that make them up, bone cells also decay and regenerate after specific durations of time. Once decayed, the formation and deposition of bone cells happen only in presence of enough vitamin D in the blood. 

One can have a healthy enough diet full of calcium but if the vitamin D level in the blood of an individual is lower than usual, there will be no absorption of calcium into the bones. Slowly, the older bone cells will die, the new ones will not be formed due to the deficiency of vitamin D and the bones will gradually lose their strength and decay.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Low calcium in the body or even a very high deficiency of vitamin D may result in the bones becoming weak, brittle, and porous. This condition is known as osteoporosis. The bones start to lose their density and start dissolving into the tissues. 

Most people are unaware of this condition and its severity is only known when someone gets a fracture or a bone breaks by a very minor shock-like falling down or even sneezing. Generally, this condition is life long and one needs to take very good care of their bones.

Some astronauts also develop osteoporosis since their bones are no longer working against gravity. To avoid this, astronauts need to exercise very regularly in space stations to keep their bones healthy. 

MAINTAINING BONE HEALTH

Taking care of the body and the bones are important as they form the basic framework of the body. With age, people tend to have weaker bones so it is more important to keep the bone health in check from an early age itself. 

Doctors from the best orthopedics hospitals in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi suggest engaging in physical activities in everyday life. Simple steps to make sure that the bones and joints are in motion are taking the stairs, walking for a few minutes every day, or even engaging in household chores. 

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Another way to ensure good bone health is the intake of foods rich in calcium like milk and dairy products, fish, green leafy vegetables, and dry fruits. But one must also make sure to keep their vitamin D levels in check. 

Exposure to sunlight for at least fifteen minutes every day is enough for the body to begin synthesizing vitamin D. In case of lower exposure than this, it is important to intake vitamin D through supplements in small quantities.