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Thinning and brittle bones give rise to fractures. This affects a third of women and one out of every twelve men. It is a major cause of death.

At around the age of 35 bone mass peaks. From then on it declines, especially for females who have ten to fifteen percent less bone mass than men at skeletal maturity. There is an additional loss of bone mass for eight to ten years from a reduction in hormone levels at the menopause. Many choose to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), but this is not the answer. HRT increases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

Calcium Can Cause Problems If Taken Alone

Calcium is important. But osteoporosis is not disease caused by calcium deficiency. Just taking calcium supplements is not the answer. There is no guarantee is will be absorbed into the bone. It could remain in the blood and be delivered to non bone tissues where it may create its own problems. Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium but it is also works in synergy with other minerals.

Magnesium Is Also Important

One third of the body’s magnesium is found in tissues, two-thirds is found in the bones. Its role is crucial in calcium and bone metabolism. Bone strength, volume and development is decreased in deficiency states. A number of population studies show a positive association with bone mineral density (BMD).

Strontium Can Stimulate Bone Formation

A century ago studies demonstrated strontium to be able to effectively stimulate rapid bone formation and that the combination of strontium with calcium was superior to using calcium alone to mineralise bones.

Boron Helps Bones To Heal

Calcium is better retained in the bone in the presence of boron. According to world authority on boron, Dr Rex Newnham, boron can speed up the healing of broken bones in half the usual time.

Manganese Is Needed For The Growth Of Bone

Manganese is needed to mineralize the bones. Osteoporotic women were found to have blood manganese levels at only 25% of the level of women without osteoporosis. Abnormal bone and cartilage growth can arise with deficiencies. There may also be degeneration of the vertebral discs.

You Need Copper, Zinc & Silicon

Silicon is quite rigid and the body uses it at sites of calcification of the bones. If bones are to form normally they require zinc. Copper works in co-operation with zinc. Depletion of this mineral can lead to bone defects and a loss of calcium. Iron is also believed to play a role in the formation of bones.

Let’s Not Forget Those Vitamins

Active calcium absorption in the intestines is facilitated by vitamin D, which is also involved with bone turnover. The status of vitamin D declines as we age and so deficiencies with ageing are common.

Vitamin K is also important in the metabolism of bone. It is required for bone formation, remodelling and repair. Epidemiological studies have shown that those people who lack vitamin K in the diet or in the circulation have a lower BMD or an increase in fractures.

Vitamin C is also required for bone health. It is vital for the formation of collagen within the bone matrix. It may protect the skeleton from oxidative stress especially for those that smoke. Cigarette smoking increases hip fracture risk.

Vitamin A is important in the bone remodelling process. Deficiencies are known to be detrimental to bone health.

A toxic byproduct of protein metabolism is called homocysteine. Studies suggest that the body is less able to convert it to less toxic compounds at the menopause. This means the body requires more folic acid to complete the task. Other vitamins which help lower homocysteine are vitamins B6 and B12.

And Finally

In conclusion, bone health depends on a sufficient supply of a wide range of nutrients that goes well beyond calcium and vitamin D. Such an approach is likely to be far more successful than current orthodox approaches which leave a lot to be desired.

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