NASA studies ways to combat bone loss in space missions

Being in space carries considerable risk. Prolonged stays in outer space can disrupt the circadian rhythm and negatively affect eyesight. Astronauts are exposed to radiation during their missions, and microgravity has a significant impact on their bodies. In a weightless state, people can lose up to 20% of their muscle tissue mass. An equally serious problem is the loss of bone density, which decreases due to the lack of load.

According to the Science Alert portal, to study the process of bone density reduction under the influence of microgravity, NASA placed mice aboard the International Space Station. The weightless state affected the animals' bodies, and the experiment showed that after 37 days, certain parts of the mice's skeletons were more damaged than others. The most significant losses were found in the femur, particularly at the hip and knee joints.

As emphasized by scientists from NASA and the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, the femur plays a key role in bearing the body weight of the mice, which is why microgravity caused the greatest damage there. Research indicates that the process of bone tissue loss is not caused by cosmic radiation or lack of sunlight, as then the changes in the skeleton would be holistic. Damage begins with the inner structure of the bone, suggesting that other mechanisms are at work.

This research is crucial for future space expeditions. Astronauts can lose over 1% of their bone density each month, which is a rate ten times faster than osteoporosis on Earth. This significantly increases the risk of fractures, especially in long bones like the femur.

Current knowledge indicates that an appropriate diet does not prevent bone tissue degradation in space. Scientists suggest that simulating resistance exercises in space may prove to be an effective solution. This research is part of NASA's long-term plans aimed at ensuring the safety of astronauts during extended space missions.