There are a number of causes of osteoporosis, however hormone deficiency(oestrogen in women and androgen in men) is a leading cause.

Other causes include
• Low calcium in diet
• Excess of corticosteroids (Cushing’s Syndrome)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Immobilisation
• Bone malignancies
• Certain genetic disorders

Osteoporosis is a common type of bone disease. It occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone or when too much of the old bone is being re-absorbed by the body.

Calcium is essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, the body uses calcium to produce bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient, or if the body cannot absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone formation and bone tissue may suffer. Calcium may be reabsorbed into the body from the bones in which case the tissue is made weaker. Both situations can result in brittle fragile bones that are prone to fractures.

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid – both are needed for the normal formation of red blood cells. An inadequate dietary intake of either of these two B vitamins results in faulty cell division and large, misshapen red blood cells that are unable to transport oxygen.

1. A deficiency of folic acid may contribute to megaloblastic anemia
2. A deficiency of vitamin B12 may contribute to megaloblastic anemia
3. Copper, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6 – are needed for the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells, and a long-term deficiency of one or more of these nutrients results in anemia. Vitamin C is necessary for optimal absorption of iron.
4. A deficiency of copper may contribute to early hypochromic anemia or microcytic anemia
5. A deficiency of vitamin C may contribute to anemia as a symptom of scurvy. An abundant supply of vitamin C is needed to hold iron in the body
6. A deficiency of vitamin B6 may contribute to microcytic anemia
7. A deficiency of vitamin E may contribute to hemolytic anemia

Vitamin E – is necessary for the protection of red blood cells once they are formed. This antioxidant protects red blood cell membranes and inadequate dietary intake of this fat-soluble vitamin results in hemolytic anemia.

Anemia is often the last stage of iron deficiency. An iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. Most of the body’s reserves of iron are stored in the liver. Consider working on improved liver function.

Ideally, supplementary iron should be taken by itself or with vitamin C between meals for maximum absorption. Calcium, particularly calcium phosphate, zinc, and antacids interfere with the absorbability of iron and should be taken separately. Available iron supplements include ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate and carbonyl iron, also know as micronized elemental iron. Carbonyl iron is a good delivery form of iron but requires hydrochloric acid for its absorption and therefore needs to be taken with meals. Other iron supplements are best absorbed on an empty stomach. Excess iron has been linked to cancer.
Chelated Iron contains the mineral already bound to amino acids for improved assimilation.

A deficiency of iron may contribute to hypochromic anemia or microcytic anemia.
It may be best to take others minerals, especially calcium and zinc which reduce iron absorption, at a different time than your separate iron supplement. You need adequate stomach acid to assimilate iron. Do not use iron supplements if anemia is thaltassemia, a hereditary form common in Mediterranean and Southeast Asia populations.

Dietary Suggestions: Include broccoli, egg yolks, kelp, leafy greens, peas, parsley, prunes, raisins, rice bran, whole grains, food with high vitamin C content. Fish eaten with vegetables increases iron absorption.

Some foods contain oxalic acid, which interferes with iron absorption and should be eaten in moderation. These foods include almonds, asparagus, beets, cashews, chocolate, soda, sorrel, spinach, most nuts and beans. Additives found in beer, candy bars, dairy products, ice cream, soft drinks interfere with iron absorption, as do tannins in tea and polyphenols in coffee.

Menorrhagia: Excess menstrual blood loss can produce iron deficiency anemia. Anemia can produce menorrhagia.

Supplementing iron may be dangerous for people with hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, polycythemia, and iron-loading anemias (such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia) which involve excessive storage of iron. Only individuals who have been diagnosed with iron deficiency should take iron supplements.

Evidence shows that people who suffer from the following serious diseases are at greatest risk of developing anemia:

1. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
2. Diabetes
3. Cancer
4. Heart Disease
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Also at risk are:

1. People over the age of 65
2. People with HIV/AIDS
3. Patients undergoing surgery

There are close to 100 different types of anemia with many causes, including:

1. Serious disease
2. Vitamin or iron deficiencies
3. Blood loss
4. Genetic or acquired defects or disease
5. Side effects of medication

Clinical tests for anemia include the hematocrit, which measures the amount of packed red blood cells per measured volume of blood; and the hemoglobin test, which measures the amount of the oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells.

Anemia can result from any one of a number of conditions: severe blood loss from an accident; low-grade, chronic internal bleeding; long-term marginal nutrient deficiencies, including poor dietary intake; impaired absorption of nutrients; or faulty use of the nutrient within the body, often due to long-term use of medication.

Anemia is a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells or in the hemoglobin (iron containing and oxygen/carbon dioxide-transporting) portion of red blood cells. When the blood can not transport enough oxygen from the lungs to cells and carbon dioxide builds up from not being transported back to the lungs, the results are extreme fatigue.

Anemia is a blood condition in which the number and\or size of red blood cells is altered, which reduces the amount of oxygen the blood is able to carry.
Some results or symptoms of anemia include lethargy, weakness, poor concentration, pale complexion, increased susceptibility to colds and infection, headaches, loss of appetite, irritability, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and mild depression.