Osteoporosis and bone breakdown are associated with deficiency of which mineral?

• A. Vitamin D deficiency
• B. Phosphorus deficiency
• C. Magnesium deficiency
• D. Calcium deficiency

Answer: (D)

Calcium is the mineral most critical for bone strength. Bones store most of the body's calcium, giving them their hardness and structure. When calcium intake is too low, the body will pull calcium from bones to keep blood calcium levels stable, weakening bone tissue over time and leading to osteoporosis and a higher risk of fractures. Vitamin D matters here because it helps the gut absorb calcium, but a deficiency in calcium itself is the direct cause of bone breakdown. Phosphorus and magnesium are also involved in bone metabolism, but deficiencies in those minerals are not the classic cause of osteoporosis like calcium deficiency is.