Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis

The bones of your body are constantly renewing themselves, with the integrated function of two types of bone cells:

• Osteocasts – support bone regeneration by destroying old bone cells
• Osteoblasts – increase bone density by creating new bone

Osteoporosis is a common age-related problem, where the bones become porous and fragile, leading to increased risk of fractures. This is most common in hips, vertebrae and wrists.

Contrary to popular belief, osteoporosis is not due to a calcium deficiency. Bone density is a factor of balance between the osteocasts and osteoblasts.

Treatments to Avoid

Some of the drugs designed to treat osteoporosis’ are dangerous because they upset this natural balance.

Bisfosphonate drugs such as Fosamax, Actonel, or Boniva may increase your bone density, because they actually kill osteoclasts. This results in a bigger, denser bone, but not a stronger bone. Instead the bones become weaker, and in the long term increase your risk of developing a fracture.

Steroids are also very harmful to bone density, and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Fortunately, there are safe, natural treatments you can use instead.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid processed foods and oils – these decrease bone density. Also limit your intake of Gluten -- a specific protein in many grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt. Gluten has been shown to decrease bone density.

Eating high quality, organic, biodynamic, locally-grown vegetables to naturally increase your bone density. Onions are particularly helpful. They are high in gamma-glutamyl peptides that have been shown to increase bone density.

Your bones also need protein - amino acids are part of the bone matrix. Eat plenty of high quality protein such as free-range eggs and grass-fed meats.

Avoid Excessive Calcium

Bone is composed of around 12 minerals. Focusing solely on supplementation you are can actually increase your risk of osteoporosis by creating other mineral deficiencies and imbalances. This also leads to increased risk of heart disease, kidney stones, gallstones, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Beneficial Supplements

Supplements that assist with healthy bones include:

• Omega 3 essential fatty acid
• Omega 6 – from corn oil, safflower- and soy oil
• Vitamin K2 - If you already have osteoporosis, you may benefit from vitamin K2, which has been shown to radically improve bone density. Fermented foods also have a high concentration of vitamin K.
• Ionic trace minerals, as well as calcium, to counteract the lack of nutrients from foods grown in mineral depleted soils. Unprocessed salts are one of the best sources of these ionic trace minerals. Himalayan salt contain vitally important trace minerals from the ancient oceans that are not contaminated with toxins.
  

Preventing Osteoporosis

Two elements essential for strong healthy bones are are vitamin D and proper exercise.

1. Vitamin D – 15-20 minutes sunlight exposure a day is sufficient, otherwise use a vitamin D supplement to get your levels up to about 60 ng/ml daily.
2. Weight bearning exercise - strength training exerts force on your bones, stimulating the osteoblasts to build new bone. Focus on specific exercises to build up the muscles around the arms and hips, being where damage typically occurs.