Today I want to talk about bone health and osteoporosis. In the last 10 years the medical community has started realize the value of bone health in children and young adults as a preventative for osteoporosis as an adult.
The best defense for osteoporosis is to create and maintain dense, strong bones. Two of the most talked-about treatments are supplements and exercise.
Children are starting to take calcium or bone health supplemental as part of the preventative process.
Bones are made up of a matrix of vitamins and nutrients. The most common vitamin and mineral discussed in relationship to bone health are Vitamin D and calcium.
In addition to these nutrients there are others that are important to bone health. Boron, copper, fluoride, phosphorus, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and zinc are also important for bone health.
Why do I mention all of these nutrients? Because they need to all be included in the discussion of bone health.
There is no one food product that contains all of these nutrients. Instead, your diet needs to be a balanced and varied whole food diet to absorb all of these nutrients.
This would include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans, with lean meats and dairy products. The idea here is that if children and young adults create and maintain strong bones this will reduce osteoporosis in the future.
Studies have shown that weight-bearing exercise and resistance exercise help to build muscle mass and bone strength. So making sure that children exercise and stay fit is not only important for reducing obesity but it encourages strong bones as well.
Bones are dynamic and are continually being restructured. The normal process of creating bone is that it is being broken down and then being reformed.
Osteoporosis is defined as failure of the body to be able to form a new matrix when the old bone gets reabsorbed. This creates weak bones that are more likely to be easily fractured or broken.
Researchers estimate that 20 of women over the age of 50 has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Fifty percent of women over the age of 50 will fracture their hip, wrist or vertebra.
The loss of bone density usually occurs gradually over the course of several years. Estrogen has a protective effect on bone health, and as it decreases during menopause this has a negative effect on bone health.
The best way to treat osteoporosis is to prevent the loss of bone in the first place.
Eating right and exercise can keep your bones strong.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods, to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.
Sources:
"Other Nutrients and Bone Health At a Glance." Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Nutrition/other_nutrients.asp
"Osteoporosis - PubMed Health." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001400
"Protect Yourself Against Osteoporosis | DrFuhrman.com." Dr. Joel Fuhrman Improves Health - Lose Weight Naturally | Reverse Diabetes | Prevent Heart Disease and Cancer | Lower Cholesterol. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.
http://www.drfuhrman.com/disease/Osteoporosis.aspx
Reviewed June 29, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith