Osteoporosis or Healthy Bones at all Ages
Bone density loss, or osteoporosis, is a definite health problem that can be managed and prevented if one understands what is happening. The problem of bone density loss with resultant deformities and fractures associated with old age is a problem that terrifies and terrorizes women as they approach and pass menopause.
One of the mechanisms, and the one that usually gets the most attention, is the reduction of hormone levels associated with aging. There are two kinds of cells found in bone. The osteoclasts are constantly destroying old bone while osteoblasts are constantly building new bone. It is necessary for these two processes, bone destruction and bone building to be balanced in order to have solid healthy bones.
So, how does one strengthen bone?
There are two control mechanisms by which osteoblasts are stimulated to create new bone mass. One is hormonal regulation and the other is the piezoelectric stimulation of bone growth that comes from exercise.
Bone consists of a protein matrix impregnated by minerals and penetrated by blood vessels. The mineral components are piezoelectric crystalline structures. Piezoelectric means that when mechanical stress is applied to the bone, the crystalline structures generate an electric charge. This electric charge stimulates the deposition of more minerals along the lines of stress. It is because of this mechanism that physical exercise creates strong bones and lack of physical exercise causes loss of bone density. In a recent study women who exercised three times per week over a period of 22 months increased their bone mass by 5.4% while women who remained sedentary lost 1.2% of their bone mass. This is also the reason that astronauts lose bone density when exposed to periods of weightlessness.
One of the principal factors in the hormonal regulation of bone health is estrogen. Estrogen is actually a group of hormones. The estrogens regulate the activity of osteoclasts and slow the process of bone dissolution. Progesterone and testosterone, on the other hand, regulate the activity of osteoblasts and cause the creation of new bone. It is true that hormone levels diminish with age. The solution from orthodox medicine has been to create synthetic hormones to replace the diminished level of natural hormones. This approach has had some problems, partly because the drugs have had undesirable side effects and partly because hormone replacement alone ignores some very powerful nutritional factors and the importance of exercise.
A product called "natural progesterone" in ointment form is available. Progesterone stimulates the osteoblastic activity of forming new bone. It also alleviates the unpleasant symptoms of PMS and hot flashes from menopause. The progesterone from the ointment is absorbed through the skin into the fatty tissues where it is gradually released into the blood.
For osteoblasts to build bone, they must have the necessary nutrients available in the blood at their convenience. Over eighteen nutrients are required to build bone. Calcium is the most abundant element in bone, but without the others new bone cannot be built regardless of how much calcium is available. These nutrients include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, silica, fluorine, vitamins A, C, D, B6, B12, K, folic acid, essential fatty acids and protein. The body only uses minerals well when they are in a proper balance. An excess of phosphorus, for example, can cause loss of bone calcium and reduced bone mass. Substantial quantities of phosphorus is found in soft drinks. .
The first challenge in nutrient availability is getting the nutrients from the stomach into the blood. The body's ability to absorb calcium and other minerals is strongly influenced by the availability of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Unfortunately, the available levels of hydrochloric acid diminish with age. In addition, the absorbability of different forms of minerals varies greatly. For example, calcium is often supplied as calcium carbonate (oystershell, dolomite, limestone, egg shells, etc.) in supplements because this form is very cheap. Calcium carbonate is insoluble in water and is only about one fifth as absorbable by the body as calcium citrate, for example. The citrate forms are very soluble and absorbable, the citrate/malate complex is even more absorbable and the amino acid chelates are also highly absorbable. Don't waste your money on carbonates.
Another nutrient that is essential for the effective absorption of calcium is vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol. D3 facilitates the absorption of the calcium from the small intestine into the bood stream. Deficiencies of D3 can cause the disease called rickets in growing children. In rickets, the bones become deformed because there is insufficient calcium to make them strong. Malabsorption of calcium in mature adults can result from low amounts of D3 as well.
You should consume a minimum of 400 i.u. of D3 per day and not exceed 1000 i.u. for extended periods except under a physicians direction. Excess D3 can have adverse effects if consumed at excess levels for prolonged periods. One of the manifestations of excess D3 is excess deposition of calcium in places where you don't want it. Vitamin A can also have a similar effect if consumed in significant excess for an extended period of time. Like vitamin D3, one of the toxic manifestations is excess deposition of calcium in undesirable places, like the joints and soft tissues.
Another contributing factor in the development of osteoporosis is homocysteine. Homocysteine is a metabolite of the amino acid methionine. It has been implicated in several degenerative diseases including heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and osteoporosis. High homocysteine levels cause osteoporosis by the formation of defective bone (protein) matrix. Homochsteine is detoxified into methionine by specific nutrients which are able to donate methyl groups to the homocysteine molecule. These nutrients include folic acid, B12, B6, and TMG (trimethylglycine).
Nutritional Support for Building and Maintaining Healthy Bones
A good osteoporosis prevention and bone maintenance program for post menopausal women is:
- Advanced Essential Minerals, 6 capsules per day in divided doses taken with meals
- Osteoflavone complex, 4 capsules per day in divided doses taken with meals
- Progesterone cream, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. per day applied topically
- Avoid all phosphoric acid containing soft drinks
- Supplements and Good Diet are more effective when combined with exercise
A good osteoporosis prevention and bone maintenance program for pre menopausal women & men is:
- Advanced Essential Minerals, 6 capsules per day in divided doses taken with meals
- Calcium Hydroxapatite, 4 capsules per day in divided doses taken with meals
- Avoid all phosphoric acid containing soft drinks
- Supplements and Good Diet are more effective when combined with exercise
(1) In my opinion, everyone should be taking a good multi-mineral supplement and Advanced Essential Minerals is the best one that I have found after evaluating several hundred supplements Advanced Essential Minerals
Six capsules per day supplies the recommended daily intake (RDI) of essential minerals and trace minerals except iodine and calcium in highly absorbable and utilizable forms. The iodine content is 70% of the RDA and the calcium supplied is 30% of the RDA. All mineral elements are in a highly absorbable form and in balanced proportions. This supplement does contain the very important trace element, Boron, which is necessary for the retention of absorbed calcium.
(2) Calcium Hydroxyapatite
Take one to Four capsules per day in addition to the multiple mineral formula in (1). This is one of the most absorbable forms of calcium. This complements the calcium and other minerals in the Advanced Essential Minerals. Research studies have shown that calcium hydroxyapatite is effective in building bone and presenting osteoporosis.
(3) If you have poor digestion, add one capsule per meal of Digezyme Digezyme The digestive enzymes facilitate the absorption of the mineral supplements in steps (2) and (3) as well improving the assimilation of food.
(4) Take vitamin D3 Powder Vitamin D3 at the rate of one half gram per day preferably with a meal. This facilitates the absorption of calcium and other minerals.
(5) For post menopausal women, apply progesterone cream Progesterone Cream massaged over any fatty tissue of the body. The progesterone stimulates osteoblastic activity and helps prevent osteoporosis.
(6) For Women, take Soy Extract Soy Extract. Take one teaspoon with each meal. The isoflavones mimick some of the effects of the estrogens and help to reduce bone loss with aging. You can also add additional soy protein to the diet by using Soy Protein Powder.
(7) If your diet and supplement regimen is low in methyl donors, like B6, B12, folic, acid, etc. and/or if you have had a blood test that shows high homocysteine levels, consider taking Methyl Caps Methyl Capsules The Methyl capsules contain B-6, B-12, Folic Acid, and Betaine (trimethylglycine). These ingredients together facilitate the metabolism of homocysteine into methionine. High homocysteine levels have been implicated in preventing the development of healthy protein substrate in bone. Converting homochsteine into methionine protects the body from the harmful effects of homocysteine.
(8) Additional Supplements are Osteoflavone Complex and Ipriflavone. Ipriflavone is a plant source estrogen that has bone preserving properties. Osteoflavone Complex contains Ipriflavone, calcium hyrroxyapatite, and vitamins D & K. Ipriflavone & Osteoflavone Complex
Very Important ! ..... Exercise
sp To get the maximum benefit from your investment in nutrients, you must exercise. The combination is very powerful and very beneficial to general health and longevity. Most individuals will benefit from 30 minutes per day of exercise. This could be walking, riding a bicycle, swimming, water aerobics, etc. Consistency is more important than rigor. In fact, for most individuals rigor should be avoided, at least initially. A brisk walk lasting at least 30 minutes with the emphasis on brisk is a good choice for most.
Where to Get Supplements for Osteoporosis Support
To order Supplements for Osteoporosis Support from Vitamin Research Products,
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