16.1 Introduction Age-related fractures represent an immense and increasing public health issue. In the United States in 2005, there were an estimated 2 million age-related fractures, with associated medical expenditures…
20.1 Introduction Osteoporosis, a disease of old age, is documented to date back to the Bronze age . The demographic explosion, increased life expectancy, global urbanization, and the obesity epidemic…
17.1 Introduction This chapter was developed to assist readers with critical evaluation of published research studies, choice of study design in addressing a research question, and understanding of basic epidemiologic…
13.1 Introduction Bone is the primary load-bearing component of the musculoskeletal system, protecting vital organs and providing a framework for locomotion. Its resilient and durable nature is due to its…
21.1 Introduction There are substantial pragmatic difficulties in assessing the impact of nutrition in osteoporosis. Bone health and strength are generally stable and subject mostly to long-term exposures. While it…
14.1 Introduction Bone apposition and resorption are constantly occurring processes that enable bones to adapt structurally by optimizing their shape and size to meet the physical requirements of their external…
8.1 Introduction The skeleton is essentially responsible for providing not only structural support and protection to the body’s organs but also for serving as a reservoir for calcium, magnesium, and…
10.1 Introduction The biological role of phosphorus in humans and other organisms’ physiology is diverse. Phosphorus is essential for the proper function of a multitude of systems. In addition to…
12.1 Introduction In what constituted a major advance in our understanding of bone biology and disease, several groups working on the genetics of rare human skeletal disorders reported a decade…
9.1 Introduction Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH–related protein (PTHrP) are major polypeptide factors that regulate skeletal physiology and mineral homeostasis. The appearance of the parathyroid glands during the evolution of…
