Osteoporosis - causes and natural Remedies

Osteoporosis is the chronic loss of bone mass and strength which today afflicts over 8 million Americans - one and a half million are subjected to life threatening fractures every year.  20% who endure hip fractures die from complications within a year; 60% become dependant on constant help in their daily lives. It is not strictly a women's disease, though 85% of victims are women.

Bones in a healthy body are constantly regenerating. Old bone is drawn upon to supply instant demands for calcium (osteoclasts) and is replaced by new bone material (osteoblasts) to keep the skeleton strong. As we age, the process of rebuilding becomes less effective, and there is an overall loss of density, and as important, strength which is supplied by the collagen -  the glue which binds the minerals (largely calcium) together in the skeleton. Thus, as we age, the need for absorbable calcium, (not Tums - research has shown this to be one of the least absorbable forms of calcium) in conjunction with other essential minerals and vitamins.

Estrogen therapy has been touted as a way of slowing bone loss, but a 14 year study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of hip fractures between women who took estrogen and those who did not! It would appear that the well know dangers of synthetic estrogen replacement therapy, if taken to reduce the incidence of bone fractures, is misplaced.

Extensive research has revealed a number of key issues which an osteoporosis sufferer need to address to improve the chances that, in later life, they will not be permanently crippled by this disease.

Factors contributing to the loss of bone density and strength

	Excess phosphorus intake through drinking too many soda's. particularly Colas. To balance this phosphorus, the body must draw calcium from the bones.
	Sedentary lifestyle. Exercise strengthens bones - inactivity encourages the body not to rebuild unused resources.
	Consuming too much fat in our diets - vegetarians are shown to have greater bone mass than meat eaters.
	Excess alcohol consumption interferes with calcium absorption.
	Drinking too much coffee. A study of 84,484 patients showed a correlation between bone fractures and heavy coffee consumption.
	Smoking. The evidence is overwhelming - heavy smoking boosts bone loss.
	A lack of natural vitamin D - obtained by exposure (not over-exposure) to sunlight.
	Not enough Vitamin K in the system. New research has shown that this little known vitamin is the key to calcium balance in the body.
	A lack of trace minerals necessary for the transport and absorption of calcium.
	Prescription drugs can increase bone loss. These include cortisone, blood thinners, antacids containing aluminum, chemotherapy, lithium, and certain antibiotics.
	Birth control pills which reduce the folic acid content in the body.
	Excess consumption of dairy products! This is due to the high animal fat content in dairy products, and the lack of CLA in modern dairy products.
	Excess salt and sugar consumption in junk foods, which leach calcium from the bones into the urine.
	Fluorides which destroy the collagen, the glue which adds strength to the bones.

Pharmaceutical Drug treatment.

Two FDA approved prescription drugs dominate orthodox Osteoporosis treatment:

Fosamax (Alendronate). The makers, Merck, say it works by binding to the bones, and preventing further loss of calcium. If this coating prevents loss, it must surely prevent osteoblasts from rebuilding the structure, as well as robbing the body of short term calcium demands - this calcium is necessary and is drawn from the bones. Fosamax shows up on bone scans as a darker substance, providing false evidence that the bone's density has been increased. The long term side effects are completely unknown, and once on it, a patient is told to keep taking it. Even when stopped, some of the drug sticks to the bones, preventing any chance of rebuilding.

Miacalcin (Calcitonin) is a hormonal drug, either injected into the body daily, or sprayed under the tongue. Its side effects are unknown, and tests have shown that in bone scans, it is less effective than Fosamax.

New drugs waiting approval include a slow release fluoride (Great! It will only destroy the bone's collagen and thus its strength. But it will do this slowly!) and Calcitriol, which is similar to Calcitonin, but has the formation of kidney stones as a potential side effect.

There must be a better way!

Bone Assure A high-tech blend of highly absorbable natural minerals from Life Extension Foundation. .

You should also consider adding Vitamin K and Folic acid