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