Bone Health And Diabetes

As we age, our bones may begin to lose their density, putting us at risk of fractures. But when diabetes is thrown into the mix, things get even more complicated. DL diabetes educator Dr Kate Marsh explains why

While you probably know that having diabetes can affect different parts of your body, including your heart, eyes, feet and kidneys, researchers have also found that people who have diabetes may be at greater risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. The good news is there are many things you can do to improve bone health, and the best time to start is now.

WHY DOES BONE HEALTH MATTER?

Keeping our bones healthy is something that many of us give little thought to. However poor bone health is becoming an increasing problem, particularly as we live longer.

According to Osteoporosis Australia, about 1.2 million Australians are estimated to have osteoporosis and there are a further 6.3 million people with low bone density (also called osteopaenia). And, while it’s more common as we get older, protecting our bones is best started when we are young.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, resulting in a loss of bone density. As bones become thinner and less dense, the risk of fracture increases. A scan to measure bone mineral density (usually at the hip and spine) is the most common way to measure bone health. However, there are also other aspects of bone structure that can affect fracture risk, and these appear to be important when it comes to diabetes and bone health.

There are several risk factors for osteoporosis and bone fractures, including age, sex, lifestyle habits and certain medical conditions and medications (see box, above). A lesser-known risk factor is having diabetes.

HOW DOES DIABETES AFFECT BONE HEALTH?