| Osteoporosis is a progressive disease characterized | | | | annually. These fractures include 300,000 hip |
| by the bones gradually becoming weaker and | | | | fractures, approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures, |
| weaker. This causes changes in posture and makes | | | | 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 |
| the individual extremely susceptible to bone fractures. | | | | fractures at other sites. An estimated $14 billion is |
| Because of the physiological, nutritional, and hormonal | | | | spent each year by hospitals and nursing homes in |
| differences between males and females, | | | | the United States each year in direct costs for |
| osteoporosis affects many more women than men. | | | | osteoporosis and related fractures. |
| Men also suffer from bone loss, often as a side | | | | There are three basic types of osteoporosis. Type I |
| effect of certain medications like chemotherapy, | | | | is believed to be caused by hormonal changes, |
| drugs, thyroid hormone, corticosteroids, and | | | | especially a loss of estrogen, which causes the loss |
| anticonvulsants, or as a result of other illnesses. | | | | of minerals from the bones to accelerate. Type II is |
| About half of all women, and 25 percent of American | | | | linked to dietary deficiency, especially a lack of |
| men, between the ages of fifty and seventy-five | | | | sufficient calcium and of vitamin D, which is crucial for |
| show signs of some degree of osteopenia or | | | | the absorption of calcium. Type III occurs in men and |
| osteoporosis. | | | | women of any age and is caused by drug treatment |
| Bone is at its strongest when a person is around the | | | | for other illnesses or other diseases that are |
| age of thirty. After this age, bone begins to decline. | | | | unconnected with osteoporosis. |
| In women, this decline begins to accelerate at | | | | The following nutrients are recommended for |
| menopause. If one has not accumulated sufficient | | | | preventing and treating osteoporosis: boron, calcium, |
| bone mass during those former times in childhood, | | | | copper, glucosamine plus chondroitin, magnesium, |
| adolescence, and early adulthood, if one loses it too | | | | phosphorus, silica, soy isoflavones, vitamin B complex, |
| quickly in later years, he or she is at an increased risk | | | | vitamin D3, vitamin K, l-lysine, MSM, a multi-enzyme |
| of osteoporosis. | | | | complex, vitamin A with mixed carotenoids, zinc, |
| Many people have the impression that osteoporosis is | | | | chromium picolinate, DLPA, kelp, manganese, a |
| caused solely by a dietary calcium deficiency. | | | | multivitamin and mineral complex, and vitamin C with |
| Therefore, may people think it can be remedied by | | | | bioflavonoids. Additionally, the following herbs may be |
| taking calcium supplements? However, that is not | | | | beneficial: feverfew, alfalfa, barley grass, black |
| quite correct. It is actually the way calcium is | | | | cohosh, boneset, dandelion root, nettle, parsley, poke |
| absorbed and used by the body that seems to be | | | | root, rose hips, yucca, horsetail, oat straw, red |
| the important factor, not actually the amount of | | | | clover, sage, rosemary, and thyme. |
| calcium consumed. Additionally, the type of calcium | | | | All of these great vitamins and herbs are available at |
| consumed is important. Although calcium | | | | your local or internet health food store at discount |
| supplementation is important in dealing with | | | | prices. Look for name brands to ensure quality and |
| osteoporosis, other considerations need to be taken | | | | purity of the product you purchase this way you get |
| into account. The correct balance of magnesium, | | | | what you pay for. |
| boron, potassium, folic acid, and vitamins C, D, E, and | | | | *Statements contained herein have not been |
| K, all play extremely important roles in battling | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. |
| osteoporosis, along with protein. | | | | Vitamins and herbs are not intended to diagnose, |
| Twenty Five million people, 80 percent of which are | | | | treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult |
| women, in the United States alone are affected by | | | | with your professional health care provider before |
| osteoporosis. This condition can appear at any age | | | | changing any medication or adding Vitamins to |
| and is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures | | | | medications. |