| Our skeletal system consists of bones of a variety | | | | alternative health remedies that can be used to |
| of different shapes and sizes. It serves many | | | | prevent or minimize bone loss. |
| different functions including providing a framework | | | | Recommendations For Wellness |
| for the body in which to support the tissues and | | | | If you are concerned about your bone health, talk to |
| protect the vital organs. It acts as levers, working | | | | your doctor about having a bone density test done, |
| with the muscles to produce body movement. It also | | | | especially if you are a woman over the age of 50. |
| works to produce red blood cells within the marrow | | | | Consume a diet of calcium rich foods. Calcium can be |
| and serves as a reservoir for calcium and phosphorus. | | | | found in all milk products as well as in tofu, salmon, |
| Calcium is one of the primary minerals required for | | | | sardines (with the bones) and dark leafy green |
| normal bone formation as well as for many of our | | | | vegetables. |
| biological functions. As we grow, the body uses | | | | Supplement your daily food intake with supplemental |
| calcium to create new bone. At around the age of | | | | calcium to ensure you are getting the recommended |
| around 35, we achieve peak bone mass. After that, | | | | amount of calcium daily. |
| bone mass gradually and steadily declines and which if | | | | Go outside and get some sun. Exposure to the sun |
| left unchecked can cause our bone tissue to become | | | | causes our body to produce vitamin D - a vitamin |
| weak and brittle. Osteoporosis occurs when the body | | | | that aids in calcium absorption. If that's not possible, |
| fails to form enough new bone or when too much | | | | add a vitamin D supplement to your daily health |
| calcium is reabsorbed back into the body to support | | | | routine. |
| its necessary biological functions or both. | | | | Start an exercise program. The best exercises for |
| Often thought of as a women's disorder, | | | | bone health are weight-bearing exercises which force |
| osteoporosis is the most common type of bone | | | | you to work against gravity. Activities such as lifting |
| disease, a disease in which the bones become fragile | | | | weights, walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs and |
| and more likely to break. Many times individuals who | | | | dancing are all excellent for your bones. |
| have decreased bone density don't even know it. | | | | Quit smoking, eliminate caffeine and carbonated soft |
| Progressing gradually over many years, often times | | | | drinks and reduce your salt intake, each of which |
| the first indication of a problem is when a bone | | | | enhances calcium loss from the body. |
| suddenly breaks such as in the hips, wrists or spine. | | | | Limit alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol use can lead |
| The truth is, any bone can be affected and activities | | | | to decreased bone formation. |
| as insignificant as laughing, coughing or light lifting can | | | | Talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about |
| cause a fracture. | | | | Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Hormone |
| There are two different kinds of osteoporosis - | | | | replacement therapy has been shown to help |
| Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Osteoporosis is only | | | | prevent bone loss and increase bone density. |
| found in post-menopausal women and is directly | | | | Some studies indicate that foods such as spinach, |
| related to estrogen deficiency. Type 2 osteoporosis | | | | chard, beet greens and chocolate! Contain substances |
| can be found in both men and women and is due to | | | | that can prevent calcium absorption. |
| both aging and a prolonged calcium deficiency. Other | | | | Herbs such as horsetail, oat straw and alfalfa have |
| causes of osteoporosis can include Cushing | | | | been traditionally used in North America as effective |
| syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, | | | | remedies for osteoporosis. |
| being confined to bed, bone cancer and a family | | | | Studies suggest that magnesium may help to |
| history of osteoporosis. | | | | improve bone density and assist in calcium absorption. |
| If you smoke, have an eating disorder, have low | | | | If blood levels are low, magnesium supplementation |
| body weight, consume a low calcium diet, consume | | | | may be helpful. |
| alcohol in excess, experienced early menopause or | | | | The mineral zinc is required in a number of biological |
| are taking certain medications including steroids and | | | | processes which include the formation of a strong |
| anticonvulsants you may also be at a greater risk of | | | | bone structure. Scientists have discovered that |
| developing osteoporosis. | | | | individuals with osteoporosis often have low zinc |
| Osteoporosis is not a new health disorder and there | | | | levels. |
| are a large number of tried and true natural and | | | | |