Bones need calcium and phosphorus to remain healthy and strong, but the body also needs vitamin D to be able to absorb these two minerals. Without this necessary vitamin, bones can become soft and flexible. This softening is called osteomalacia, or rickets when diagnosed in children.
Because of the perception of dairy products as being high in fact, many people with eating disorders carefully avoid all dairy products. Unfortunately, it also means that people with eating disorders often do severe damage to their bones by missing out on Vitamin D.
Osteomalacia symptoms include:
Bone pain and tenderness
Skeletal and/or skull deformities
Bow legs or knock knees
Deformity or curvature of the spine
Pigeon chest (forward protrusion of the chest bone)
Impaired growth, resulting in short stature
Susceptibility to bone fractures
Dental deformities
Delayed tooth formation
Defects in teeth
Increased cavities
The best way to treat osteomalacia is by adding Vitamin D to your diet.
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Related Resources
Wikipedia.org: Osteomalacia
Mayoclinic: Osteomalacia
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