Weightlessness and bone loss in man

Abstract

A review is presented of data whicih has been accumulated on the calcium and skeletal changes occurring in humans subjected to various periods of weightlessness. These data reveal that spaceflight induces an overall loss of calcium which continues unabated for at least three months. Urinary calcium levels reach a constant level within approximately four weeks while fecal calcium losses continue to increase throughout the flight period. A decline in the mineral density of weight-bearing bones accompanies these changes. Available data support the contention that the demineralization affects primarily the weight bearing bones. The rates of loss and recovery of calcium and bone mineral density are approximately equal to those observed during and following bedrest of comparable duration. No measure to wholly prevent these losses has yet been devised.