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Osteoporosis Center |
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General Health Information
Osteoporosis is a very common condition that increases with age and is more common in women than men. It is characterized by a gradual loss of bone density due to minerals leaving the bone matrix. Osteoporosis dramatically increases the risk of bone fractures and can lead to compression of the spine. Many factors are thought to increase the risk of bone loss or "thinning of the bones". Dietary and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high animal protein intake, inadequate calcium, too much phosphorus, and lack of exercise are all contributors. Genetics and race seem to also play a key role as to who may be more likely to develop this debilitating disease.
Conventional medical treatment for osteoporosis in women centers mainly on hormone-replacement therapy, however recent concern about the increased risk of breast cancer has caused many women to rethink the use of this therapy. This concern has lead the medical field to look more closely at nutrition as an additional modality of treatment. There is good evidence that calcium supplements may be able to slow the progression of osteoporosis. A combination of calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium may be able to produce even better effects. Calcium supplements also help adolescent girls reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. Additional supplements such as ipriflavone, which seems to stimulate bone mineralization, and various trace minerals such as zinc, copper, boron, and manganese are also useful in ensuring good bone health. Soy isoflavones and red clover extract may also be helpful. Essential fatty acids, such as fish oil and GLA from evening primrose oil, may also enhance the effectiveness of calcium.
Helping the body maintain proper bone density is important. Optimal bone health may best be achieved by combining healthy lifestyle choices of proper diet and regular exercise with appropriate nutrient supplementation. By utilizing conventional medical treatments along with a comprehensive nutritional support program for healthy bones, we can prevent or reduce the severity of this debilitating disease.
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Wellness Plan for Support of Strong Bones
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Low fat, high protein, low sodium diet emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables |
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Avoid tobacco, alcohol, sugars, animal fat, and soft drinks |
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Get plenty of weight bearing exercise |
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Control body weight |
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Menopausal women should consider hormone replacement therapy |
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Pharmacist's Supplement Recommendations:
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Vitamins, Minerals, and Trace Elements - particularly calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, boron, vanadium, zinc, vitamins B-6, B-12, C, D, and K, folic acid, niacinamide |
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Herbs and Phytonutrients - soy isoflavones, horsetail, ipriflavone, evening primrose oil |
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Hormones - DHEA, pregnenolone |
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Glandulars - pituitary, adrenal |
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Essential Fatty Acids - omega-3 and omega-6, especially GLA and/or evening primrose oil |
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Antioxidants - vitamin C, selenium, grape seed extract | |
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Click Here for Pharmacist's Recommendations
Wellness Centers Related to Osteoporosis
Aging
Arthritis
Bone and Joint
Endocrine and Glandular
Pain and Headache
Senior's Health
Sports and Fitness
Women's Health
Additional Information on Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis: Progress and Promise - by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Osteoporosis-The Silent Bone Thinner- information provided by the National Institute on Aging
Bone Builders - Support Your Bones with Healthy Habits- publication by the US Food and Drug Administration
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