ABSTRACT
This chapter evaluates in depth the various forms of therapy for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis which is sometimes seen accompanying chronic vitamin C deficiency may be due in part to involuntary immobilization due to pain in the joints. The role of nutrition in skeletal development has been recognized for many years and the function of vitamins A, C, and D, certain inorganic elements, and protein have been thoroughly described. Severe deficiencies of these nutrients lead to well-recognized clinical symptoms while less severe deficiencies may result in bone which is less dense at maturity. The content of insoluble collagen increases with maturation and then decreases with aging concurrently with the changes in tensile strength, thus emphasizing the importance of the organic as well as the inorganic constituents of bone. The female skeleton is less dense at maturity than is the male skeleton and bone loss occurs at a more rapid rate.
