Bone supplementation that excels in improving osteoporosis and osteopenia
Pharmanex Bone Formula is a complete bone supplement that excels in improving osteoporosis and osteopenia
Osteoporosis : Background
The bones are alive – that is true. Bones are continually rebuilt and do not stop when you are an adult. Bone consists off protein and collagen that collects calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other minerals. You can also have lead in your bones – if the body can not get rid of it.
There are two types of bone cells: osteoblasts which will build new bone and osteoclasts that will break down and also get rid of old bone. Bone ends are made of cartilage – that is a softer type of bone, so that joints can work smoothly.
Incidence
White women above 30 years old will lose 1% of bone mass per year. Osteoporosis is common in women after menopause. Fractures are common in one in three women and one in twelve men by the age of 70.
Risk factors in women
- Caucasians
- Age >70 years of age
- Small bone structure
- Family history
- Previous and current fractures
- Early menopause
- After menopause, ovaries that stop prematurely and removal of ovaries before menopause
- History of falling
- Cortisone usages
- High alcohol intake
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Low intake of essential bone formation nutrients
- High doses of thyroid medication
- High Phosphate consumption (fast food, meat, cool drinks and sugared foods)
- High protein diet can lead to leaching of bone minerals
Risk factors in men
- Small build
- Low weight
- Average to high alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Low intake of essential bone formation nutrients
- Low testosterone levels
- Medication
- Chronic diseases of kidneys, lungs, stomach and intestines
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Older than 75
- Low exercise levels
- Previous fractures
- History of falling
- High Phosphate consumption (fast food, meat, cool drinks and sugared foods)
- Gastrectomy – removal of part of the stomach
- High protein diet can lead to leaching of bone minerals
Risk factors in children and adolescence
- Anorexia nervosa
- Exercise related amenorrhea
- Delayed puberty
- Cystic fibrosis
- Excessive cortisone intake
- Other hormonal problems
- Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis
- High protein diet can lead to leaching of bone minerals
Medication causality
- Cortisone
- Epileptic medication like fenitoïen and barbiturates
- High doses of thyroid medication
- Anti acids containing Aluminium
- Vitamin A and D in high doses
- Methotrexate used in treatment of arthritis, cancer and immune diseases
- Cyclosporin A
- Certain diuretics
- Depo-Provera
- Cholestyramine (Questran)
- Gonadotrophin (APL)
- High protein diet can lead to leaching of bone minerals
Diagnosis
In diagnosing osteoporosis, the following has to be taken into consideration.
Risk factors
If a risk factor is present – have a test done.
Bone density studies
Best test will include hip, lower back vertebrae’s.
Another quick test is testing the bone density of the heel – if osteoporosis is present then a complete bone density test is recommended.
Blood tests
Check calcium, magnesium and vitamin D levels and other relevant blood parameters.
Urine tests
When bone loses calcium, residue is excreted through urine and can be traced with urine test strips. You can test whether you still loose bone mass or not.
Prevention through Nutrition
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Calcium
Low calcium levels cannot necessarily be associated with osteoporosis. Post menopausal African tribes with a very low calcium intake have very low rates of osteoporosis. Blood pH is regulated by sodium and calcium. When the body’s sodium is depleted – then calcium is used to balance the blood pH.
Have balanced calcium in diet. Best food sources for calcium: cheese, almonds, brewers yeast, parsley, corn tortillas, globe artichokes, prunes, pumpkin seeds, cooked dried beans, cabbage, yoghurt, soya and supplements. Remember milk is not a good source for calcium because of the calcium and magnesium ratio and it is also loaded with bovine hormones. WW – only sells milk without bovine hormones.
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Vitamin D
10-20 minutes of sunshine a day (before 10am or after 4pm). If you very seldom get into the sun rather supplement with a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D.
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Limit phosphate consumption
Limit protein intake to a maximum of 15-20% of total energy requirements.
Phosphates suppress calcium absorption and enhance bone loss when the calcium: phosphate ratio > 1:1.5. Phosphates are found in fast foods, cool dinks, sugared foods and meat. Meat has a high calcium-phosphate ratio. Phosphates will stimulate the parathyroid and that will enhance bone loss.
Post menopausal African tribes follow a low protein diet with a very low calcium intake and they have very low rates of osteoporosis. Eskimos with a high calcium diet have high rates of osteoporosis. The reason behind this is a high protein diet. Protein makes the blood acidic. Blood pH is regulated by sodium and calcium. When the bodies’ sodium is depleted – then calcium is used to balance the pH. You can not balance a high protein diet with a higher calcium intake. We have enough proof now to say that a high protein diet is primarily the cause for osteoporosis. High protein diets (especially high consumption of red meat) make the body acidic and you will lose a lot of calcium from bone to regulate blood pH of 7.4. You can also get protein from tofu, nuts, lentils, sunflower seeds, yoghurt, cottage cheese and fish – these specific proteins will have a less acidic affect on the blood pH.
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Raw food
Eat lots of raw food – contain calcium and other minerals. You don’t get cows with osteoporosis – they eat grass and drink water.
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Enhance stomach acid
Ageing causes absorption levels to decrease because of low stomach acid. Citric acid will enhance stomach acidity. Stomach acid levels can also be increased with betaine hydrochloride tablets.
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Reduce consumption of refined sugars and caffeine
They will limit absorption of calcium and other minerals
Exercise
- Regular exercise can enhance bone density amongst children and adolescents. In post menopausal women it can slow the osteoporosis process down. Scientists have found that in some women the bone density has improved. A good idea to get a biokinetisist, physiotherapist or other professional person to assist with your exercise programme
- Weight bearing exercises like walking, jogging or aerobic exercises are important. Walk briskly at least 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes – be careful and don’t fall
- Anaerobic exercise will also help
Lifestyle
Remember osteoporosis is affected by lifestyle: exercise, eating habits, smoking and alcohol – all these lifestyle factors can start the process and/or worsen it. Prevent falls and check the following:
- Floors – nothing on floors that can cause you to fall
- Bathrooms – rails and a rubber mat in bath
- Lights – enough light in house at night
- Kitchen – rubber mat on floor at wash basin
- Steps – keep them safe
- Other precautions – shoes with rubber soles, limit alcohol consumption and check your medication for drowsiness.
Bone density tests
Has to be done annually when osteoporosis has been diagnosed.
Hormone replacement therapy
Low oestrogen after menopause is blamed for osteoporosis. That is a fallacy – because our ancestors have not suffered routinely from a decreased bone density. Oestrogen will not stimulate new bone formation but will merely stop loss of old bone. Progesterone will stimulate new bone formation because of its stimulating affect on osteoblasts. When a woman stops ovulating – no progesterone is released through the ovum, but oestrogen is still released in small quantities. Some scientists now believe that it is because of a progesterone deficiency and not a deficiency in oestrogen that causes osteoporosis. In my opinion it is very seldom that you can pin point one aspect as disease forming – it is normally a few factors. Lifestyle assessment is necessary. Carry out appropriate blood tests for estrogen, progesterone, parathyroid and thyroid. Initiate appropriate treatment and/or lifestyle changes.
Other risk factors
Electric blankets: the electric current that flows through this blanket, can cause a calcium loss from your bones. Switch off the electric blanket before you get into bed.
Treatment
There is no cure for osteoporosis – you can turn it around or you can stop the degenerative process.
Exercise
Exercise alone is not effective in treating osteoporosis, but it is a very important component. Strong muscles will help to prevent falls. Aquarobics are excellent for osteoporosis patients. Get a bio kineticist, physiotherapist or any other knowledgeable person to assist with your exercise programme.
Hormone replacement therapy
Natural progesterone cream is four times more effective than synthetic oestrogen HRT in restoring bone density – available from your local pharmacy.
Calcium
Calcium is a very important mineral in bone formation, but we have no experimental evidence that high doses of calcium taken over a long period of time will prevent osteoporosis. Calcium by itself cannot build bone because bone consists of various minerals (e.g. magnesium, silicon, fluoride, zinc, copper, boron, manganese and phosphorus) and in the process of bone formation other nutrients and vitamins are required. Deficiency in any of the above may lead to bone loss in spite of adequate calcium intake.
Calcium-magnesium ratio
The calcium-magnesium ratio is the most important factor in bone health. The calcium-magnesium ratio balance is controlled by the kidneys. The kidneys will excrete either if that balance is disturbed. Magnesium supplementation will improve calcium retention and will not suppress calcium absorption. Magnesium might be more important than calcium in reversing osteoporosis. Magnesium supplementation in a 2-year study with progressing osteoporosis patients there was either an increase in bone density or an arrest of further bone loss in 87% of patients. The majority of osteoporosis patients have a deficiency in magnesium because of western diets.
Vitamin K and osteocalcin
Vitamin K2 plays a major role in keeping calcium in the bones and out of the arteries. Osteocalcin is a protein that is associated with bone formation. When there is a deficiency in vitamin K2 undercarboxylated osteocalcin is formed and you get bone loss from the skeleton and teeth. The same process is reversed with vitamin K supplementation. Vitamin K2 is the only vitamin (hormone) that plays an important role in calcium-controlling gammacarboxylated proteins in the body. Vitamin K2 is a stronger antioxidant then vitamin E or coenzyme Q10.
Vitamin D
We now know that vitamin D has many other functions apart from just improving mineral absorption. It has a hormone-like action on directing calcium into bone and suppressing parathyroid action. We now know that the osteoporosis patient should have higher doses of vitamin D against a background of maintenance intake of calcium.
Other minerals and bone building
Bone building with calcium can only take place when adequate quantities of the following are available: zinc, boron, silicon, copper, fluoride, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin D3, magnesium and vitamin K2. The minerals and vitamins have a synergistic effect on calcium assimilation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very important in the biosynthesis of the matrix proteins in bone. Sufficient quantities of vitamin C are needed for the healthy regeneration of bones.
Conclusion
It is clear from our health talk that the calcium only approach is no longer valid. We need all the other vital nutrients for the formation of healthy bones. Pharmanex Bone Formula is a complete bone supplement that excels in improving osteoporosis and osteopenia. Is your bone supplement adequate for your osteoporosis?
Pharmanex Bone Formula
| Each capsule contains: | |
| Vitamin C (as Calcium-L-ascorbate) | 20 mg |
| Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol) | 2,4 µg |
| Vitamin K (as Menaquinone) | 10 µg |
| Calcium (as extracted from red algae (Lithothamnion calcareum), Dicalcium malate, Calcium-L-ascorbate) | 84 mg |
| Magnesium (as Magnesium citrate, Magnesium bisglycinate, extracted from red algae (Lithothamnion calcareum)) | 45 mg |
| Zinc (as Zinc gluconate) | 0,83 mg |
| Copper (as Cupric gluconate) | 86 µg |
| Manganese (as Manganese bisglycinate) | 0,17 mg |
| Boron (as Boron citrate) | 0,50 mg |
Do you have a bone supplement that can reverse your osteoporosis and osteopenia?
References:
- New Optimum Nutrition Bible – Patrick Holford
- Prescription Alternatives – Earl Mindell
- Natural medicine – Beth Maceoin
- Herbal Medicine – expanded commission E Monographs
- Natural Medicine – issue 10,2003
- Genesende Voeding – Dr Willem Serfontein
- Gesondheid vir `n leeftyd – Dr Christiaan
- https://www.mercola.com/
