Skip to main content

Review of NASA's Evidence Reports on Human Health Risks 2017 Letter Report (2018) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Risk of Early Onset Osteoporosis Due to Space Flight
Pages 12-15

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 12...
... Although ARED and/or bisphosphonate therapy may ameliorate the bone loss, the data provided suggest that the protection is not complete, and such preventive measures carry their own risks. Although at this point existing data from astronauts do not show bone loss to the level that meets the definition of osteoporosis, the loss of bone during spaceflight and the variable recovery on return to Earth could, with time, subject astronauts to an increased fracture risk even in a 1 g environment.
Read the entire page →
From page 13...
... Does the Evidence Report Provide Evidence That the Named Gaps Are the Most Critical Presented? The seven listed gaps capture many of the critical issues that, if better understood, could help in monitoring and/or mitigation of bone loss, in enhancing recovery, and in decreasing the risk of subsequent fractures.
Read the entire page →
From page 14...
... The evidence re port does not include a discussion of the role of muscle function and composition as altered by spaceflight, although this was the subject of earlier evidence reports. Strong muscles help protect against falls in the terrestrial environment, and they may provide a compressive load that helps maintain some bone strength.
Read the entire page →
From page 15...
... Spaceflight involves unique activities, such as EVA, that could increase the risk of fractures not generally considered in the evaluation of osteoporosis risk factors on Earth, so task analysis and the unique risks posed to the skeleton by these spaceflight activities could have been further discussed. Furthermore, there was no mention of nutritional influences on bone health in light of the limits on diet imposed by long-term spaceflight.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • evidence report
  • report provides
  • evidence reports
  • onset osteoporosis
  • compelling evidence

  • report briefly
  • report provide
  • spinal cord
  • fracture risk
  • osteoporosis due

  • provides compelling
  • cord injuries
  • space flight
  • preventive measures
  • rapid bone

  • report lists
  • bone strength
  • restoring bone
  • sufficient evidence
  • report address

  • accompanying report
  • earlier evidence
  • dence report
  • report risk
  • trabecular bone

  • percent bone
  • provide evidence
  • fall loads
  • briefly discussed
  • postmenopausal period


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.