The osteolabs measurement procedure

This procedure was developed in a 17-week study by NASA (J. Skulan et al 2007). Based on this, clinical studies were carried out in co-operation with the Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in Kiel (UKSH) and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre. With a sensitivity of 100 %, all previously detected cases of osteoporosis were identified by means of calcium isotope markers (CIM), as expected. In addition, thanks to the newly developed method, other diseased women could also be identified.

Calcium (Ca++) is found in food in different heavy isotopes, e.g. 42Ca or 44Ca. Light Ca isotopes undergo chemical reactions faster than heavy ones and accumulate in the bone at the end of the process.

Because light Ca isotopes react more quickly, light Ca isotopes (42Ca) are predominantly incorporated during bone formation. If more light Ca isotopes are incorporated in the bone, more heavy Ca isotopes (44Ca) remain in the blood/urine. When bone substance is broken down, the reverse happens. More light Ca isotopes are released from the bone into the blood/urine.

The osteolabs measurement method is a world first, because it now makes it possible to diagnose osteoporosis at the onset of postmenopause. The patient thus receives fast and reliable certainty about possible osteoporosis - even long before an X-ray test is carried out.