Osteoporosis – bred in the bone?

Medical books are quite brief and to the point about osteoporosis: ‘loss of bone density’, they say, ‘treatment should include calcium supplementation’. Those are the bare facts, but what the books neglect to mention is that a great deal can be done to prevent osteoporosis. Besides choking down horse tablets of pure calcium, which can harm the healthiest digestive system, and have questionable benefits, there are other ways of reducing your chances of suffering from the condition and alleviating it if it occurs.

Although it does affect some men, osteoporosis largely affects women particularly once they have gone through the menopause. Decreased levels of oestrogen allow calcium to be leeched from the bones, making them more brittle and susceptible to breaks and fractures. The most vulnerable areas are the hips, wrists and spine, so that women may lose height due to compacted vertebrae. However, HRT, which boosts oestrogen levels, is no longer given as a preventative for osteoporosis due partly to an increased awareness of its risks and partly because any benefits are shortlived. In fact studies have shown that once a woman has stopped taking HRT her body begins a ‘catch-up’ effect and after a few years the improvement in bone density is negligible compared to those women for whom it was never prescribed.  It may be given if there are other symptoms or indications for its use, but for those women wishing to avoid HRT, a healthy diet, regular exercise and herbs and remedies can considerably reduce the problem. And as up to one half of a woman’s bone loss occurs before the menopause, it is never too early to start.

Bones rely on calcium for their strength, but increasing dairy foods in the diet is not necessarily the best or only answer. In America, one of the highest consumers of milk and dairy foods, osteoporosis is at record levels. This is an indication that a diet rich in milk, butter and eggs is not necessarily the solution to the problem. Calcium can also be found in a great many other foods and in countries like China, where dairy is rarely used, there is a lower incidence of osteoporosis than in the West. The people get their from green leafy vegetables, seaweeds, fish and tofu. Clinical studies now show that a diet that restricts carbohydrates and increases healthy protein (poultry, fish, seafood) encourages the bones to absorb the calcium and magnesium more effectively. This is not an endorsement of the Atkins diet, but a suggestion that changing the balance slightly (particularly if you are a lover of rice, potatoes and other starches) can increase energy levels and reduce a range of symptoms including insomnia and headaches.

 One of the ways that we in the West cause damage to our bones is by drinking fizzy drinks. The phosphoric acid in colas and even sparkling mineral water can speed up the rate at which we lose calcium from our bones. If you are at risk of osteoporosis, this is a crucial point – bin all fizzy drinks and replace them with still water or fruit juices for optimum bone health. Caffeine is another substance that should be restricted if we want to keep our bones strong as it encourages calcium to be excreted, so don’t replace your cola with a cup of coffee. And while we’re on the subject of what to avoid, alcohol and cigarettes also put women at a far higher risk of osteoporosis, so those must also be restricted or preferably cut out altogether.

On the plus side, however, sunshine is very beneficial. Vitamin D, which is made when the skin is exposed to sunlight, encourages strong healthy bones. Even in winter, try to have a daily walk exposing your hands and face to the sun. Other vitamins and supplements that can help fight against osteoporosis are magnesium, which is often lacking in many diets and needs to be supplemented to balance calcium metabolism, strontium and boron. For more information have a look at the Solgar website, www.solgar.co.uk which is a supremely helpful guide to vitamins and minerals as well as herbal and homeopathic remedies.

Early studies are also showing a connection between vitamin K and lower instances of osteoporosis and there is also a link between progesterone and bone health. Vitamin K is created in the body as leafy vegetables are digested, so that’s one more reason to eat up your greens; while natural progesterone creams such as Serenity and Mexican Wild Yam Cream may well be worth exploring.

On the herb front, red clover has been shown to improve the bones’ uptake of calcium and black cohosh has also been found helpful. These two herbs also help to relieve menopause symptoms, so if you are experiencing hot flushes and feel that you are at risk from osteoporosis, you might want to look into these remedies as a way of treating both areas together.

Homeopathically speaking, it is recommended that you have a consultation with a homeopath who will find a remedy that matches not just your symptoms but your personality too (a constitutional remedy). Tissue salts may also be taken to encourage strong, healthy bones. These are mineral remedies that are given in a low homeopathic potency. They nourish specific areas that are suffering a deficiency. Carefully-chosen tissue salts can repair damaged tissue or help the body assimilate the minerals that it needs to function effectively. For bone health calc-phos (calcium phosphate) is recommended. This can be taken alongside one or two homeopathic remedies that encourage repair of weak and damaged bones: symphytum (knitbone), and conchiolinum  (mother-of-pearl). Ask for these remedies in an ‘x’ potency, preferably a 6x, as this is how they are frequently prescribed for tissue repair. Do not take them for more than two weeks continuously.

To find out more, contact Helios Pharmacy on 01892 537254 or New Era, on 01482 375234. They make a range of combination tissue salts and will help you find the best combination.  Finally, don’t forget to exercise. Weight-bearing exercise is one of the most important factors in strengthening the bones, so dig out the old trainers and walk, cycle or go to the gym two or three times a week. Above all enjoy yourself. That’s really what good health is for!