Fetal Health

Bones in infants.

Bones form in utero, between 8 weeks gestation and the end of trimester 2. Throughout the entire pregnancy, bones continue increasing in size and maturing until birth. Nutrient demands for fetal bone deve

lopment are consistently high during trimester 2 and 3 as the baby’s skeleton grows and fully forms.

Infants

As a baby learns to use their limbs, head and neck, muscles begin to work and bone density increases, causing an increased nutrient demand. This demand persists during breastfeeding and early growth, for mother and child alike. Many nutrients are transferred from mother to baby through breast milk, so maintaining healthy levels during this time is of utmost importance.

Children

A great deal of bone development and growth occurs during childhood and bones need a constant supply of nutrients to cope with these demands. If your family’s diet is low in milk products or fish with edible bones, supplementation is advised for parents and children, to help support healthy bone growth and development.

Adolescents

Bones experience a quick growth spurt at puberty and throughout the teenage years, expanding in size to accommodate growing bodies. Nutrient demand is high, especially in adolescents with inadequate diets.

Adults – 20 to 50 years

Throughout adulthood, continuous bone remodeling occurs. Bone building responds directly to physical activity, like manual labor and frequent or load-bearing exercise.

Pregnant women

Calcium supplements during pregnancy are important for maternal support and fetal bone development. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy may prevent bone health issues from occurring later in life for mothers and their babies [1]. Although recommendations by most health authorities are the same as those for non-pregnant adults, low calcium intake before, during and after pregnancy can have health consequences for mums at risk of osteoporosis in later years, and for a baby’s skeletal formation and development [2].

Low dietary intake areas

In some regions, calcium intake is much lower due to minimal dairy in the cultural diet. People in these areas have a stronger need to supplement because calcium is not able to be replenished as easily through diet [2].

Breastfeeding women

Throughout breastfeeding and lactation there is a high calcium demand; a large amount of mum’s calcium is transferred to their baby through breast milk. These demands for maternal calcium may lead to temporary osteoporosis if not enough is available in the bloodstream, particularly where dietary intake is low [2]. Likewise, other nutrients are important for both maternal and newborn health – in particular, vitamins D and K. Vitamin D is responsible for helping calcium absorption, whereas vitamin K is responsible for assisting with production of the proteins that make bones [3]. Vitamin K1 supplementation at this time has been shown to improve bone health outcomes and is particularly important because of its ability to transfer from mother to child via breast milk [4].

Calcium supplements in later life:

50 +

Bones begin to degenerate after 50, along with other organ systems, becoming less efficient at renewal. Studies have indicated that levels of calcium and vitamin D in our bloodstream decrease dramatically between 50 and 70 years [5]. To prevent bone health complications, and reduce the risk of fractures due to falling, calcium & vitamin D supplementation may assist [6].

70 +

Milk for bones!

Seniors endure one of the most risk-prone times in life, where bones can weaken and fracture more easily than in younger people. Aging often brings reduced physical activity, decreased muscle coordination and lowered bone nutrient levels in blood serum, increasing the risk of bone damage. With reduced activity, bone begins to weaken, and nutrient supplementation is important to maintain its strength and integrity. Combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation for bone health in elderly people may help preserve skeletal integrity and prevent fractures if falls occur [1]. Vitamin D may even reduce the risk of falling [7] by improving bone and muscle function [8].

References

1. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2003;62(04):851-8.
2. Heringhausen et al. The Journal of perinatal education. 2005;14(1):52.
3. Women’s Health Medicine. 2006;3(4):157-9.
4. Greer et al. Pediatrics. 1997;99(1):88-92. Epub 1997/01/01.
5. Nordin et al. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2004;80(4):998-1002.
6. Chapuy et al. The New England journal of medicine. 1992;327(23):1637-42.
7. Cameron et al. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2012;12:CD005465.
8. Agergaard et al. Nutrition & metabolism. 2015;12(1):1-14.

from an Expert Author

Christopher Halkias

BSc (Hons), PhD – R&I Project Manager

Christopher Halkias is a biomedical scientist with extensive experience across many of the research institutions of Melbourne. He was awarded a PhD in Biomedical Science from RMIT University in 2018. His research interests include pharmacology, pathology, immunology and the use of natural products for therapeutic benefit.

Christopher has published multiple peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, led scientific research within significant commercial projects and is an award-winning academic teacher. Through his efforts in research and teaching, he has an extensive understanding of science, and aims to communicate this knowledge to the Nurture Central family.

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