Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

The Bone Matrix

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...

Bone Remodeling

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

Microbial Mats

Microbial Mats

Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...

Minerals

Minerals

Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A multi-mineral intervention is associated with improved intestinal permeability in patients with ulcerative colitis: results from a pilot trial.

Frontiers in medicine·2026

Same author

Self-cleavage-dependent and -independent functions of <i>Adgrg1/Gpr56</i> in mice.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Proteomic profile of human colon organoids: effects of a multi-mineral intervention alone and in the presence of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory treatments.

Frontiers in gastroenterology (Lausanne, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

A Multi-Mineral Intervention Improves Intestinal Permeability in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results from a 90-Day Pilot Trial.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

A multi-mineral intervention to improve disease-related and mechanistic biomarkers in ulcerative colitis patients: Results from a randomized trial.

PloS one·2025

Same author

Up-gradation of the dielectric, physical & chemical properties of cottonseed-based, non-edible green nanofluids as sustainable alternatives for high-voltage equipment's insulation fluids.

Heliyon·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

Preservation of bone structure and function by Lithothamnion sp. derived minerals.

Muhammad Nadeem Aslam¹, Ingrid Bergin, Karl Jepsen

¹Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, 1301 Catherine Road, Box 5602, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA, mnaslam@umich.edu.

Biological Trace Element Research

|October 8, 2013

Summary

Marine algae minerals prevent bone loss and fragility in mice on standard and high-fat diets. Supplementation improved bone density and strength, suggesting a role in osteoporosis prevention.

More Related Videos

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Published on: September 27, 2024

Increasing Durability of Dissociated Neural Cell Cultures Using Biologically Active Coralline Matrix

Increasing Durability of Dissociated Neural Cell Cultures Using Biologically Active Coralline Matrix

Published on: June 3, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Published on: September 27, 2024

Increasing Durability of Dissociated Neural Cell Cultures Using Biologically Active Coralline Matrix

Increasing Durability of Dissociated Neural Cell Cultures Using Biologically Active Coralline Matrix

Published on: June 3, 2020

Area of Science:

Biomineralization
Nutritional Science
Bone Physiology

Background:

Osteoporosis is characterized by progressive bone mineral loss and fragility.
High-fat western diets (HFWD) can exacerbate bone loss.
Marine algae Lithothamnion sp. contains a unique mineral profile.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of Lithothamnion sp. derived minerals on bone health in mice.
To assess the efficacy of these minerals in preventing bone loss on standard and HFWD.
To evaluate the impact on bone mineral density, structure, and strength.

Main Methods:

Female mice were fed standard or HFWD with or without Lithothamnion sp. minerals for 5, 12, and 18 months.
Femora and vertebrae underwent micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) and biomechanical testing.
Serum markers (TRAP, P1NP) and bone element composition were analyzed.

Main Results:

Bone mineral loss occurred in both diets, with greater cortical bone loss on HFWD.
Mineral supplementation reduced bone loss, enhanced bone mineral density, and improved bone strength.
Strontium levels in bone increased significantly (5-10 fold) with mineral supplementation.

Conclusions:

Minerals from red marine algae Lithothamnion sp. effectively inhibit bone mineral loss and fragility.
Supplementation shows promise for osteoporosis prevention, particularly in conjunction with calcium.
This natural mineral source may offer a novel strategy for maintaining bone health.