Think small
Our bones are made up of lots of different minerals and proteins, with two recently coming to the attention of scientists at the university. They discovered than when our bones are under stress, proteins osteopontin and osteocalcin divided to create a tiny hole. This helps our structure cope with forces and makes bones stronger, showing that the molecules are important for our wellbeing. This process is widely known as dilatational band formation, although until now scientists have been unsure of the important part osteocalcin plays in this natural defence system. The research suggests that if we lack these minerals instead of dividing in this way, there is a complete break and we fracture our bones. Breakages are more likely to happen to us if we suffer from a condition like osteoporosis, so knowing why fractures happen in the first place could teach us how to change our lifestyles to prevent them.
Promoting proteins
Lead researcher on the study Deepak Vashishth explains that we need to make sure our body can make osteocalcin in order for it to safely make fractures at an atomic level. This is one of the first studies to reveal how the protein is important for bone health. Vashishth says that because osteocalcin is present in nearly all of the microscopic fractures this is what we should concentrate on when using our diets to promote nutrients in our bodies. In order for the protein to be converted into a form that our bodies can use, Vitamin K is needed. The vitamin is found in green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach, so including these in our meals may make our bones healthier and more able to withstand falls and minor slips.