A lack of calcium is the major cause of osteoporosis. The gradual loss of bone mass results in increased fracture, loss of height, pain in the hip and back, and curvature of the spine. Osteoporosis primarily affects women, as men have greater bone mass. Bone mass peaks at about thirty-five years of age. After we pass this peak bone mass age, and especially after about age forty-five, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases. All the bones in the body begin to lose density. This bone loss is accelerated for patients with osteoporosis.
The leading cause of osteoporosis in the menopausal female is thought to be estrogen deficiency. Other causes of osteoporosis are an inability to absorb sufficient amounts of calcium through the intestine, a calcium-phosphorus imbalance, and a lack of exercise. Characteristics that increase your risk for osteoporosis include small bone structure, early menopause or hysterectomy with removal of ovaries, family history of osteoporosis, absence of pregnancy, consumption of socially accepted poisons, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Bone disintegration with pain in the hips, lower back, or legs and vertebral fractures (usually affecting people over fifty years of age) are commonplace. An official diagnosis of osteoporosis often comes too late--after a fracture. The most effective strategy against osteoporosis is to start fighting bone loss early and to never let up.
Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
1. Vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis. Vegan diets help prevent bone loss whereas increased protein in the diet of omnivores promotes excretion of calcium. High phosphorus-containing foods (e.g., alcohol, coffee, red meat, and soft drinks), as well as smoking (See “Smoking Addiction”), induce a negative calcium balance by inhibiting calcium absorption from the diet and promoting calcium excretion. White sugar, white flour, white salt, and fatty foods are other constituents of the western diet increase excretion of calcium and increase the risk of osteoporosis. (See “Allergy—Foods.”)
2. While cow’s milk is high in calcium, it is also high in phosphorus and is not generally considered to a good source of useable calcium for humans. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency has been observed in individual’s who drink milk fortified with vitamin D. Magnesium is primarily stored in the bone and, in fact, it is magnesium (not calcium) that is needed to harden tooth enamel and resist tooth decay.
3. Vitamin K is necessary for osteocalcin, a bone protein, to chelate calcium and hold it in place within the bone. Both vitamin K and calcium can be obtained from green, leafy vegetables. Vitamin D, which is necessary for absorption of calcium from the diet, can be obtained from fish, egg yolks, and sunshine.
4. Sunlight exposure converts cholesterol into vitamin D. The liver and kidneys can then convert vitamin D into its active form.
5. Do not take fiber supplements with meals or other supplements. Avoid taking supplements with grains, too. Fiber and grain can bind to minerals and prevent their absorption if taken simultaneously.
6. Stay active. Exercise sensibly and regularly. Calcium loss results from lack of exercise. Exercise stimulates bone growth, but too much stressful exercise (e.g., marathon running) can also result in bone loss. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, for 20 minutes three to four times a week is a good way to start. (See “Obesity.”)
7. Check your medicine cabinet. Certain medications, such as anti-convulsants, blood thinners, diuretics, steroids, and thyroid supplements promote calcium loss. Diuretics, if taken in conjunction with calcium supplements, can cause kidney stones. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents has been shown to weaken the joints.
8. Calcium absorption is first dependent on its being ionized by stomach acid. An ionized calcium supplement (e.g., calcium citrate) promotes optimal absorption for patients with a stomach acid deficiency. This also reduces the likelihood of developing kidney stones from taking too much calcium. Avoid calcium carbonate, as this form is least likely to be absorbed in stomach acid deficient individuals.
9. While an estrogen deficiency may be a major factor in osteoporosis of post-menopausal women, the risks of synthetic estrogen replacement therapy may outweigh the benefits for the majority of women at risk for osteoporosis. Such risks include increased clotting of the blood, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, gallbladder disease, and breast and uterine cancer. These risks are not associated with natural hormones, such as progesterone. If estrogen is needed, the body can make it from progesterone. Often, natural progesterone is all that is needed. If your doctor still feels that estrogen is needed, in addition to progesterone, it too can be obtained from natural sources and in forms that are much safer.
10. Supplements should include vitamins A, C, and E, B-complex, the minerals magnesium (which has been found to be more beneficial than calcium), zinc and boron, essential fatty acids (such as flax seed oil), and Silica (which the body will use to make its own calcium.) Taking minerals at bedtime enhances their absorption. B12 injections should be taken 1-3 times weekly (especially if there is a deficiency of stomach acid suspected).
11. Herbs to try include feverfew, horsetail, oatstraw, and shavegrass. If symptoms of menopause are also present, consider black cohosh, dong quai, false unicorn, fennel, licorice, and unicorn root.
12. Homeopathics to use include: Calcarea Carbonica (when calcium is deficient), Calcarea Phosphorica (if chronic headache is present), Calcarea Fluorica (for weak tooth enamel, cavities and/or arthritis with excessive bone growth of the joints), Hekla Lava (for bone tumors or bone infection), Mezereum (when there is pain in the skin over the bones--especially in the shins), Mercurius (when bone pains are worse at night), and Silicea (to stimulate bone growth).
Osteoporosis is a complex condition involving hormone, lifestyle, nutrition and environmental factors. A comprehensive plan that addresses these factors offers the greatest protection against developing osteoporosis. To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to www.NewHopeMedical.org or call NEW HOPE MEDICAL CENTER at (702) 476-0000 (direct line) or toll free (866) HEAL-NOW!