NASA faces challenge of protecting astronauts' bone health
Being in space has a significant impact on the human body. Research indicates that microgravity leads to a decrease in bone density, posing a serious health risk for astronauts.
Being in space carries considerable risk. Long-term missions can disrupt circadian rhythms and negatively affect astronauts' vision. During their stay in space, they are exposed to radiation, and microgravity significantly impacts their bodies. In weightless conditions, people can lose up to 20% of their muscle mass. Additionally, the lack of load-bearing leads to a serious problem: the loss of bone density.
How to protect astronauts from bone tissue loss?
According to Science Alert, NASA conducted an experiment on the International Space Station to study the effects of microgravity on bone density. To this end, mice were placed aboard the station. The state of weightlessness had a significant impact on their bodies, and after 37 days of the experiment, it turned out that some parts of their skeletons were more damaged than others. The greatest losses were observed in the femur, especially at the joints with the hip and knee.
Scientists from NASA and the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science emphasize that the femur plays a crucial role in bearing the body weight of mice, which is why microgravity causes the most damage there. Studies show that bone tissue loss is not the result of cosmic radiation or lack of sunlight, as changes in the skeleton would be more generalised in such cases. Damage begins with the internal structure of the bone, which suggests that other mechanisms are at play.
These studies play an important role in the context of future space missions. Astronauts can experience bone density loss at a rate exceeding 1% per month, which is ten times faster than the rate of osteoporosis on Earth. This situation significantly increases the risk of fractures, especially in long bones such as the femur.
The future of space travel
Current knowledge indicates that a proper diet does not prevent bone tissue degradation in space. Scientists claim that simulating strength exercises in space could prove to be an effective solution. These studies are part of NASA's long-term plans to ensure astronaut safety during long-duration space missions.
