Osteoporosis (abnormal thinning of the bone from mineral loss and poor protein structure of connective tissue) threatens up to 44
million Americans and is the underlying cause of 1.5 million fractures annually in the US. One in six women suffers hip
fractures during their lives, and for women over the age of eighty, the percentage reaches one-third, and for men over the age of
eighty, one-sixth. A woman’s risk of hip fracture is greater than her risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer combined.
Major risk factors include aging, menopause, chronic corticosteroid use, maternal history of osteoporosis, and obesity.
While calcium is the best-known nutrient for bone health, calcium intake alone cannot prevent osteoporosis. Americans have
twice as many hip fractures as the Japanese, although calcium consumption in Japan is very low. In the Netherlands, high
calcium intake does not prevent a high rate of osteoporosis. Zinc, potassium, and fiber all contribute to strong bones. The ratio of
calcium to phosphorous and magnesium is critical to their absorption into bones, as is vitamin D. At least seven types of calcium are
now on the market in addition to common calcium carbonate. Another mineral, boron, may reduce urinary excretion of calcium
and magnesium.
Certain herbs have been suggested to maximize hormone activity after menopause. Since the liver processes estrogen, liversupporting
herbs such as burdock root, which also has estrogenic effects, dandelion and yellow dock may be useful. Other herbs with
purported estrogenic effects include dong quai, blue cohosh, black cohosh, sage, alfalfa (which enhances mineralization) and
motherwort. Some studies support the use of isoflavone extracts of red clover for both menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Isoflavones have
shown positive results, especially in strengthening the lumbar spine. While there are concerns that taking isolated isoflavones may
lower lymphocytes and may have a negative interaction with some drugs, other concerns such as the possibility that these and other
phytoestrogens may increase risks of estrogen-dependent cancers are so far unproven.
Herbs that may enhance bone mineralization include stinging nettle, slippery elm, oat, and horsetail. In a randomized trial involving
122 women, those taking a horsetail extract or a horsetail-calcium combination had statistically significant improvements in bone
density over the placebo group. Horsetail is also traditionally used to support joint health.
Additional herbs associated with joint health include ashwangandha root, guggul (a traditional Ayurvedic anti-arthritic with
anti-inflammatory effects), turmeric root (anti-inflammatory), willow bark (to reduce pain, fever and inflammation) and St. John’s
wort (for many mildly painful conditions, including osteoarthritis). Sulfur compounds such as glucosamine sulfate, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
and SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) rebuild joint cartilage and otherwise benefit osteoarthritis sufferers.
Bones aren’t just constructed from calcium. Healthy bones are comprised of many minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, boron and others. The matrix of the bone is composed of collagen from amino acids, protein sugars like glycosaminoglycans, and chondroitin sulfate, and the crystalline minerals deposit
into the matrix to form hydroxyapatite crystals. These crystals make bone hard. Complete bone nutrition comes from microcrystalline hydroxyapatite
concentrates that provide all the nutrients needed to construct healthy, dense, hard bones.
Above all, don’t take calcium carbonate (ground up limestone). This form of calcium can wreak havoc on the whole body, particularly
when consumed in large amounts in the absence of other bone-building nutrients.
Carol’s Recommendations for healthy bones:
• A good quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement (Vitamin
Research Products Optimum 6 is excellent, take six capsules per
day in divided doses
• VRP Opti-Mag: 2 - 4 capsules per day, with breakfast
• VRP: Calcium Hydroxyapatite: 2 - 4 capsules per day, with
dinner
• Carlson Fish Oil: 2 – 4 capsules per day
• Thirty minutes of bone jarring exercise (walking, jogging,
dancing) per day
• Follow the Wings dietary protocol to balance overall nutrition.
Carol Simontacchi CCN, MSCarol Simontacchi is a clinical certified nutritionist, best-selling author, popular speaker, an owner of a chain of health food stores, a weight management counseling service, and has her own line of natural supplements. She has also published several articles in national publications and has appeared on numerous television shows.
Some of her best-selling titles include:
Your Fat Is Not Your Fault and Crazy Makers
Her ground breaking work on brain nutrition and the link between cravings and hormonal imbalances have made these 2 books instant classics for those seeking to solve the weight loss puzzle in a healthy way.
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