When weight loss leads to Osteoporosis
In a fast paced society, we are continuously driven into a sedentary lifestyle and convenient, fast-food fixes. One of the primary indicators of this is the spike in obesity, vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
Desperate to lose weight and improve overall health, many people have opted to undergo bariatric surgery. Though mostly successful and has saved many lives, surgical weight loss has its risks. This may include surgical complications, nutrient deficiencies, secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and if left untreated, bone deterioration.
When blood calcium is low, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is secreted to pull calcium from the bones to the blood, and signal the kidneys to produce more activated vitamin D. This will enable more calcium to be absorbed from the gut to provide to the bloodstream. However, during times of chronic vitamin D deficiency, less calcium is absorbed from the gut, leading the parathyroid hormone to remain elevated in an attempt to stimulate activation of vitamin D, thus drawing more calcium from the bones.
It is recommended adults supplement with 5,000-10,000 IU (125-250 mcg) vitamin D3 daily in order to reduce the risk of Secondary Hyper Parathyroidism in those who have undergone a surgical weight loss procedure.
