Decreased Bone Tissue: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies

When asthi dhatu is decreased, it is called asthi kshaya. One cause is increased asthi agni — the heightened metabolism burns calcium, magnesium, and other mineral salts. White spots develop on the fingernails, which become brittle with ridges and creases. Brittle nails are a key indicator of asthi dhatu deficiency. Teeth become brittle, cavities multiply, and fractures of the crowns may occur. When vata is present, teeth become sensitive to cold; when pitta creates inflammation, teeth become sensitive to hot drinks, indicating nerve involvement.

Delayed teething in children is caused by decreased asthi dhatu. The mala (inferior byproduct) of asthi dhatu is hair, so a person with asthi kshaya may begin losing hair due to high pitta in asthi, or the hair may become brittle, dry, or kinky due to vata. Hair loss can be related to deficiency of calcium, magnesium, and zinc, or to excess salt consumption, which provokes pitta in asthi dhatu.

Decreased asthi dhatu can also create degenerative arthritis and receding gums. On an emotional level, when asthi dhatu is depleted, a person feels insecure, lonely, nervous, and ungrounded.

The causes of asthi dhatu dushti include: poor diet — especially excessive vata-provoking foods such as dry foods, beans, and leftovers; lack of minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, and trace minerals); insufficient or excess protein consumption; and poor posture.

Physical causes include overly vigorous or excessive exercise beyond one's capacity, irregular intense exercise that provokes vata (such as mountain climbing or running), and physical trauma from accidents. Psychological factors also play a role: trauma, loneliness, insecurity, and lack of support can all disturb asthi dhatu.

Additional causes include thyroid and parathyroid disorders, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy. Nail biting is caused by deficiency of zinc and calcium, although anxiety, insecurity, and nervousness also contribute.