ÔNEW
STUDIES: NEW HOPE IN TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSISÕ
As
America ages the diseases and dysfunction of an older population take on new
importance. The largest portion of health care dollars is spent in end of life
care, and osteoporosis is certainly part of that picture. Thinning bones not
only lead to fractures, but organ dysfunction, pain, weakness and overall
generalized frailty of the body.
If
just taking calcium with vitamin D supplements were the answer, osteoporosis
would not be a problem in this country. The average healthy diet contains
enough calcium and vitamin D before you add a supplement, with or without
vitamin D.
The
results of newer studies, looking more closely at the entire diet with
supplementation are impressive. LetÕs take a look.
Calcium is the number one player, we are taking in plenty,
but it is not being assimilated into the bones. To get the most out of your
calcium use a digestive enzyme that contains hydrochloric acid necessary in the
digestion of calcium. Milk and other dairy products are not your best choice
for calcium. Instead use green leafy vegetables, soy and raw carrot juice.
Vitamin
D is important as well, most get
enough being outside, plus the food chain is littered with vitamin D. Too much
vitamin D causes the bones to ache.
Magnesium: the largely overlooked player. This mineral is one of
the three most missing minerals in todayÕs diet. Calcium is rendered useless in
the body when magnesium is not present. Be sure you are taking magnesium with
your calcium.
Strontium: the new kid on the block. A minor trace mineral that
plays a big role in bone health. Strontium is found along with calcium in most
whole foods and research has long suggested that this has been the missing
component. Human clinical trials give support to StrontiumÕs ability to support
new bone formation and prevent excessive resorption that leads to bone loss.
The studies are small but trials with follow up bone biopsies have revealed an
astounding 172 plus percent increase in new bone formation after six months of
strontium supplementation.
These
same studies proved that taking strontium without enough calcium does not yield
the same results. Also, if you intend to take strontium be sure you follow
instructions. Taking a large dose of calcium with strontium neutralizes the
effect of the strontium.
Better
diet: The evidence that calcium and
strontium are found together in whole foods in the correct amounts that our
body can utilize is just one of many of natureÕs answers that we tend to
ignore. Use whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, plenty of purified
water, delete the sugar, highly processed foods, highly salted foods and if
whole foods give you indigestion you need a digestive enzyme anyway.
Other
important players are: vitamins C and
K, B-12 and folic acid. And, of course nothing takes the place of getting out
there and moving it, walking, swimming, bicycling and some weight lifting
exercises. Till next time, Rebecca