Starvation in early life can cause poor bone health and metabolic aberrations in bone minerals, leading to abnormal bone development. Since Holocaust survivors were exposed to starvation and malnutrition before and during World War II, a team of Albanian researchers has conducted a meta-analysis to present the current state of knowledge on the osteoporosis risk in the dwindling number of survivors and their descendants.
The term “hunger disease,” which refers to the effect of starvation, was diagnosed by 28 Jewish physicians among the small number of Jewish survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto. Autopsies of individuals who died of starvation in the ghetto revealed porous bones and decalcification. Irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, depression, insomnia, irritability, excessive fatigue, muscle pain, hernias, and back trouble were some of the symptoms of famine disease.
Nutritional deprivation in pregnant women
“Nutritional deprivation in pregnant women, including calcium and vitamin D, could also lead to premature osteoporosis in adults, premature metabolic syndrome, reduced peak-bone mass, and more,” the report said.