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Bowel disorders lead to poor bone health, study finds

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Women with inflammatory bowel disorders may want to consider further lab testing to see if they are also positive for osteoporosis, as a new study suggests that individuals with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are also more likely to suffer bone breaks.

Researchers found that these common bowel diseases increase a person's risk for breaking a bone, because the disorders make it more difficult for their body to absorb nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamin D that are the key to bone health.

Individuals with these diseases are also at a disadvantage because many of the common drugs used to treat the condition block the body from making the best use of nutrients.

Deficiencies of these nutrients in women can also increase their risk of developing osteoporosis as they age.

Researchers suggested that doctors who are treating individuals with these bowel disorders should also test them for bone health, and start them on treatments to increase the level of these nutrients in their body.