Painful bone breaks can leave you confined to a wheelchairor possibly send you to a nursing home! But new research to explain how aging slowsor even preventshealing of broken bones provides hope for potential treatments designed to restore lost healing capability!
Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center focused their current study on the COX-2 enzyme. According to a university statement, scientists already knew this enzyme played a role in causing inflammation. They also knew that COX-2 played an important role in bone formation during skeletal repair.
But for the first time, the current study shows that COX-2 levels drop dramatically as you age. This decline explains why stem cells no longer turn into cartilage as efficientlyand thus impact an early step in the healing process.
Another first for this research team was their confirmation that lost healing ability can be restored by manipulating the COX-2 pathway with existing, experimental drugs.
Local injections of the drug CP-734432 took the place of missing COX-2 enzyme to compensate for age-related reductions in fracture repair. It also significantly reduced the amount of immature cartilage seen and helped mature bone form more efficiently.
Once youre past 30, you need to take in plenty of calcium to help prevent the breakdown of bone tissue. The key to maintaining healthy calcium levels is getting enough vitamin D to help you absorb it.
Unfortunately, as you get older it becomes more difficult for your body to make vitamin D from sunlight. But a high-quality supplement that contains both nutrients can provide maximum bone protection and optimal health!