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Strong Bones & Natural Support against Osteoporosis
Published on Wed May 16, 2018 - 3 min read
Bryan Bradford Strong Bones & Natural Support Against Osteoporosis
Save your bones with our top research proven natural remedies.
Our bones are continually being “remodeled” as we age by the processes known as resorption which breaks bone down and ossification which rebuilds bone. Until the age of 30 bone formation (ossification) exceeds bone resorption however after 30 things can rapidly change leading to a condition known as osteoporosis where the bones lose mineral density until the point where they become fragile and porous. In fact, the word “osteoporosis” comes from the Greek words “osteon” meaning bone, and “poros,” meaning a pore or a passage.
Several risk factors for osteoporosis exist such as inactivity, aging, hormonal imbalances, low vitamin d, stress, poor digestion, and even certain medications. The good news is there are many highly effective natural remedies for treating and preventing osteoporosis. Here are some of our favorites:
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Estrogen stimulates the activity of osteoblasts which are cells that produce bone. When estrogen drops during menopause osteoblasts are no longer able to build bone. In fact, the most dramatic bone loss in life can happen during menopause1. Thankfully, several natural supplements possess estrogen-like activity that can protect bones. Red clover, black cohosh, and soy ipriflavones all contain phytoestrogens that have been shown to combat osteoporosis and other symptoms of menopause2.
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Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and the most important mineral for healthy bones. However, calcium also plays a vital role in many biologic functions beyond bone formation. If calcium intake is low, the body will leach calcium from bone worsening osteoporosis. Several studies show that supplementation with as little as 500mg of calcium daily is enough to slow bone loss3. Look for food-based calciums when choosing a bone strengthening supplement for their superior absorption.
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While calcium is the most important mineral for bones it doesn’t work alone; there are several other mineral cofactors such as magnesium, strontium, boron, and silicon. Magnesium directly fights osteoporosis by stimulating bone-forming cells and is a vital component of the bone itself4. Adequate magnesium intake also protects our bones by reducing inflammation4. In one study strontium increased bone mineral density and decreased the risk of hip fracture by 41%5! Boron is highly concentrated in enamel and bone and stimulates the production of a whole class of bone forming compounds and hormones like collagen and testosterone6. Boron also reduces inflammation7,8 and is a key component in vitamin d activation9. Silicon enhances collagen production in bone as well stimulates the formation of bone manufacturing cells, osteoblasts10.
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Vitamin D3 helps bone formation by several mechanisms including increasing calcium absorption in the intestines11, forming several bone-specific proteins, and regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) release. If vitamin D is chronically low, PTH increases which then signals osteoclast to remove calcium from bones and release it into the bloodstream, directly leading to osteoporosis12.
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Vitamin K2’s role in forming healthy bone mass ties to its role in activating the hormone osteocalcin which is needed to bind calcium into the collagen matrix of our bones13. Osteocalcin has another critical function: preventing calcium buildup in your arteries! By taking vitamin k2, you can remove calcium from arteries and keep it in your bones where it belongs14.
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Melatonin is a rhythmically produced hormone that helps orchestrate our bodies many biologic functions including the building and repairing of bone15. When this rhythm is disrupted, as in shift work or poor sleep, there is a significantly increased risk for hip and wrist fractures16. A recent study showed that 3mg of melatonin balanced all aspects of bone metabolism in perimenopausal women within six months17.
Osteoporosis is on the rise,18 but here at the Shoppe, we feel that with the proper supplementation and lifestyle changes it can be prevented and even reversed.
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Published By:
Bryan Bradford is the lead nutrition specialist, Certified Health Coach and Chief Nutrition Officer and one of the founding family members of Sunflower Shoppe.