Osteoporosis

Yes, you can prevent and rebuild bone loss!

In the United States, nearly 50% of all women between the ages of 45 and 70 suffer from some degree of osteoporosis. This disorder is so common that we tend to think of it as a normal result of aging. In reality, osteoporosis is a condition brought on by faulty dietary and lifestyle habits. Studies of cultures that have more healthful lifestyles find that its occurrence is much more rare. The growing epidemic of weak and fragile bones among young and old alike is unnatural and totally preventable.

Naturally, we accumulate tremendous bone mineral reserves so that our bones last us a lifetime. All animals maintain lifelong healthy bones; so it should be with humans. Unfortunately our unhealthy habits deplete our bones of their stores of minerals. The typical American diet, high in animal protein, processed carbohydrates, etc. and low in alkalizing fruits and vegetables, is highly acid-forming. We cannot survive in an acidic internal environment – our blood needs to be alkaline. To regain a life-supporting alkaline state, acids must be neutralized with alkaline minerals which our body, as a survival mode draws out of our bones and teeth. The price we pay for this is osteoporosis!

Most women feel that without daily calcium supplements they can count on suffering from osteoporosis sooner or later. We all know that calcium is essential for bone health. What we are generally not told is that at least seventeen other nutrients are also essential for bone health. If our diets are low in any of these nutrients, our bones suffer. Despite the abundance of food, we are low in nutrients. Most of us do not consume enough of many essential nutrients necessary for bone-building. Osteoporosis is much more than just a calcium deficiency. It would be just fabulous if osteoporosis could be avoided with one simple measure, such as supplementing calcium to your diet. Looking around the world, we see that osteoporosis is a disease that occurs in some areas much more than in others, just as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, ל"ע . It is not a natural effect of aging.

The United States has one of the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world, while in other regions, this disorder is relatively rare, even among the oldest of the population. The highest osteoporosis rates are found in the most technologically advanced societies, and the lowest rates are typically found in the poorer, less advanced societies. Lifelong patterns of poor eating, little exercise, smoking, medication use, toxic exposure, excessive stress and the like, take their toll on the whole body, not only the bones. Osteoporosis does not stand alone; it is but one risk factor as a result of our diet and lifestyle today. We are paying a very high price for our processed, junk food and conveniences that are so far from nature.

Most of us are supplementing with synthetic calcium. When there’s an excess of synthetic calcium, it is not just eliminated from the body; it is picked up by the blood and deposited in the soft tissues, the blood vessels, skin, eyes, joints and internal organs. Calcium combines with fats and cholesterol in the blood vessels and can cause hardening of the arteries. It crystallizes and forms very painful arthritic deposits in the joints. In the kidneys, it forms hard deposits known as kidney stones. Thus taking synthetic calcium can be a concern. Your best choice is pure plant supplements.

Supplements made from pure whole plants that are high in calcium, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients is your answer. Every plant has numerous health benefits, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, fatty acids and many other elements vital for your health and proper absorption. Plants, with their natural high calcium and mineral levels intact are the way to go. After all, nature knows best!

Following the steps below can prevent osteoporosis, restore bone loss, and contribute to your overall health and vitality.

Many have restored bone loss by following these guidelines. The first step in rebuilding bone is a health-promoting alkaline diet. In addition, supplementing with pure plant and whole food supplements are crucial for bone health. Try to follow as many of the suggestions below, and you will begin to see positive results.

1. Power Food: Power Food from Nature’s Cure infuses the body with easily-absorbed vitamins, minerals and amino acids, and has an alkalizing effect on the body. Power Food, a combination of greens, ocean vegetables and much more, is a nutrient-dense, low calorie, whole food supplement. Many report feeling much more vibrant and energetic, just by taking this product alone.
2. Nature’s Miracle (Miracle Clay): Nature’s Miracle from Nature’s Cure contains a wide range of naturally occurring alkaline minerals. Minerals are amazing, each performing multiple functions in our body. Many of us are mineral deficient which creates a host of problems. Healing occurs much faster when Miracle Clay is consumed.
3. NaturesCal: The bone formula NaturesCal from Natures Cure is made from an array of high quality pure plants, naturally high in calcium and minerals. Go for nature’s calcium.
4. Ocean vegetables are very rich in minerals. You can find a variety at your health food store. Each has amazing regenerative powers and an alkalizing effect on the body. Power Food contains a variety of sea vegetables as well.
   Following is a list of the most common sea vegetables:
   Kelp, Dulse and Bladderwrack can be found in capsule or powder form.
   Nori sheets are available in grocery and health food stores from the company Sushi Maven.
   Kombu can be soaked overnight in water to create a mineral-rich broth. Use this broth in soups or for cooking your grains, beans, etc. Strain to omit issues with insect infestation. If you dry strips of Kombu at a low temperature in your oven, they become crispy and make a great snack.
   Wakame can be simmered on a low flame for about 20 minutes, then let sit for a while and strain, to omit issues with insect infestation.
   Arami’s shredded strands have a crisp texture and sweet, nutty flavor. They should be soaked for about 15 minutes before using. Can be tossed into a salad without cooking.
   Hijiki requires longer soaking and cooking time than the other ocean vegetables.
   Agar Agar is a sea vegetable that jells up. Use for pudding and desserts.
   

   If you want to eat the actual sea vegetable, you will need to inquire how to check them for bugs. When you soak ocean vegetables, don’t re-use the water for cooking (except Kombu and Wakame). Your plants will love it.

5. Essential fatty acids: Your body needs good fats to survive and be fully healthy. Essential fatty acids are very important to help transport calcium and other minerals to the areas needed. Essential fatty acids are found in green leafy vegetables, sesame, hemp, sunflower, pumpkin, chia and flax seeds, nuts, fish and avocados. Adding a variety of healthy oils like flaxseed oil, organic cold pressed olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, etc. is recommended. Just a side note: healthy fats help you lose fat.
6. Vitamin D: Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium metabolism and supports bone health. Most adults need 4,000 mg. - 5,000 mg. daily. Opt for a food source vitamin D; it is your best choice or better yet go outside and get some sunshine.
7. Exercise: Exercise is very important for building bone, tissue and cartilage. Simple walking can help maintain bone mass, but generally, more vigorous activity is needed to actually build bone. Weight bearing exercise is a good way to build bone and prevent bone loss.
8. Strontium: If you are at high risk for, or already have osteoporosis, you should consider supplementing with strontium. It not only slows down the breakdown of bone, it actually stimulates new bone growth. New clinical studies show that strontium could be the key to making your bones unbreakable and more flexible and keeping them that way for years to come, in most cases in less than a year. Unlike calcium, excess strontium that isn’t absorbed by the body is naturally eliminated through the urine. If you are taking calcium, make sure to take it 4 hours before taking strontium.
9. Vitamin K2: Vitamin K2 has great benefits for your bones. It helps glue calcium into your cells, bloodstream and your bones, and helps prevent bone from breaking down. Your best choice is going with food or a whole food supplement. Vitamin K1, the most common form of vitamin K, is mainly found in plant-sourced foods, especially dark, leafy green vegetables. Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is only found in animal-sourced foods and fermented plant foods, such as natto which is made from soybeans. Natto supplements are a good choice and available from many companies. Dairy products from grass-fed cows, (now available at health food stores) are also a great source, as well as egg yolks.
10. Progesterone cream: As we age our hormone levels decline and bone breakdown increases. As a result, we become susceptible to osteoporosis. Using a natural progesterone cream can rebalance your hormones and help you grow new bone. It is also beneficial for women’s issues and many other health concerns associated with aging.
11. Onions: Onions will help those with osteoporosis absorb the calcium better. An onion can work better than medication, without any side effects. Eat one medium onion daily, sautéed or steamed.
12. Dried prunes: Prunes are among the highest antioxidant foods shown to help improve bone strength. The prune intake found to be bone-enhancing is approx. 9-10 prunes a day. Prunes are also a food source of vitamin K.
13. Himalayan Crystal Salt: Unrefined salt is an effective tool to alkalize the body and help rid itself of toxins. Life is not possible without salt, but the processed salt we consume is killing us. Himalayan salt from ancient deposits has all its vibrational energy intact and helps promote a healthy balance in our body. It contains 84 minerals that are found in the human body. The ingestion of refined salt leads to many health problems and it needs to be avoided. We are over-consuming our salt intake, yet our bodies are starving for salt. Unrefined salt, such as Celtic salt, Himalayan salt, or Real salt, should be the choice.
14. Eat vegetables with your protein: Proteins are acid-forming, making them necessary to be eaten along with a nice serving of vegetables and/or other alkaline foods which counteract the acidity. It is best to reduce protein servings. Ideally, your plate should have 80% vegetables and 20% protein.

Recommended bone building foods: Eat foods that are naturally high in calcium and the other nutrients needed for its assimilation. Nuts, seeds (especially sesame), chia seeds, beans (preferably sprouted), sea vegetables, green leafy vegetables and broccoli are very beneficial. Green vegetables such as collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce and others are important for their vitamin K content.

Foods that contribute to bone breakdown: Soda, caffeine, processed foods, sugar, table salt, refined grains, alcohol and anti-acids. Too much citrus fruits can also be a problem. Many popular anti-acids contain aluminum, which is toxic to bone; it keeps back calcium absorption, interferes with mineralization, and therefore causes excessive bone loss. Aluminum also settles in the brain and is known to cause Alzheimer’s ל"ע .

A great book to read: Better Bones, Better Body by Suzan E. Brown