| It is well known that taking calcium supplements can | | | | have a complex system of breaking down and |
| slow down or reverse bone loss. Zinc, copper, vitamin | | | | rebuilding that is always occurring, known as bone |
| C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and magnesium also | | | | metabolism. This action helps to properly balance and |
| contribute to bone health in different ways. Before | | | | distribute calcium to bones, muscles, nerves and the |
| you settle on taking only calcium, consider the | | | | heart for use in several essential bodily processes. |
| benefits of these other vitamins and supplements for | | | | Vitamin K deficiency is believed to play a key role in |
| protecting your bones. | | | | osteoporosis. Vitamin K is produced in our intestinal |
| Bone loss occurs when the body needs more calcium | | | | bacteria. The use of antibiotics, stomach problems |
| than you provide. But your bones lose important | | | | and infections, kill off the bacteria responsible for |
| minerals during this process as well. Certain vitamins | | | | producing vitamin K. Your doctor may want to test |
| and minerals are responsible for bone metabolism and | | | | for vitamin K deficiency before you supplement, so |
| creating a bone matrix that strengthens bone and | | | | talk with him/her about your bone health before you |
| allows it to harden. Mineral deficiencies are common in | | | | buy vitamins. |
| people with osteoporosis, so supplementing may help | | | | Magnesium deficiency is increasingly common and can |
| to overcome a lot of the problems associated with | | | | contribute to bone loss. Magnesium is responsible for |
| osteoporosis. | | | | moving calcium out of the soft tissues and into the |
| Zinc, copper, manganese and vitamin C are necessary | | | | bone. Without enough calcium, this cannot take place. |
| for collagen to form in bone tissues. Collagen forms | | | | Magnesium also helps in the metabolic process that |
| strands inside the bone. Calcium attaches to the | | | | aids our bodies in getting calcium from food sources, |
| collagen structures and hardens. Zinc and copper | | | | so it plays a few different roles in bone formation, |
| absorption can be affected by calcium supplements, | | | | function and repair. Again, the absorption of |
| so it is best to take it in a highly absorbable form. | | | | magnesium can be affected by calcium, so it is |
| You may not absorb enough zinc and copper from | | | | advisable to take it in a highly absorbable form. |
| food sources, so supplementation may be necessary. | | | | Taking a proper balance of vitamins and supplements |
| Manganese deficiencies are also common in | | | | is key in protecting yourself from osteoporosis. |
| osteoporosis patients. Studies show that most | | | | Because of the difficulty in obtaining enough of each |
| minerals work best when combined with vitamins. | | | | nutrient in a highly absorbable form through food, you |
| You may want to try a vitamin C powder that | | | | may want to consider supplementing. As always, talk |
| contains essential minerals to ensure proper | | | | with your health care provider or nutritionist when |
| absorption and maximum benefit. | | | | you buy vitamins to ensure that you are not |
| Vitamin D and vitamin K are also key in building the | | | | overdoing it in any one area. Keeping everything in |
| bone infrastructure. These two vitamins work | | | | balance can help you to preserve bone, maintain |
| together to balance calcium levels and aid in bone | | | | calcium stores, promote healthy bone metabolism, |
| function. Bones are not unchanging structures. They | | | | and fight osteoporosis. |