Preventing and Managing Osteoporosis
Dec 30, 2020 04:09PM ● By Ashlyn Zikmund
Osteoporosis is a condition defined by decreased
bone mass due to deterioration of bone tissue. Like the rest of the body, bone
is a living tissue that requires a proper balance of breakdown and building.
Certain risk factors can upset this balance and cause excess breakdown of bone
without a proper counterbalance of building it back up. This results in decreased
bone strength and increases the likelihood that a fracture could occur.
Both women and men get osteoporosis, but women are
at an increased risk, especially after menopause. Fractures related to
osteoporosis occur 50 percent of the time in women and only
25 percent of the time in men over the age of 65. Women are at an increased
risk due to the drastic drop in hormones that occurs after menopause, but there
are options to decrease the risk of osteoporosis and fracture risk.
Nutrition
A varied diet consisting of whole foods, colorful
vegetables and adequate protein is necessary to provide vitamins and minerals needed
for maintaining bone strength and cartilage. Some studies show that excessive
intake of animal protein causes an increase in urinary calcium excretion; so
following the guidelines of consuming .36 grams of protein per pound of body
weight is recommended. We should strongly consider rotating the protein sources,
as well as only consuming animal products that are organic and do not contain
added hormones.
Other dietary habits include the consumption of
sprouted grains versus refined grains, as well as consuming dark, leafy greens
daily. Sprouted grains contain at least 25 percent more protein compared to
refined grains and retain more of the vitamins and minerals important for bone
health. Additionally, greens such as kale and bok choy, contain crucial vitamins
and minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium and boron, all of
which are needed for healthy bones.
Regarding calcium supplementation, more is not
always better, because over-supplementation can have adverse effects on
vascular tissue. The requirements for calcium intake vary slightly depending on
age; however, total calcium ingestion in women greater than 50 years of age
should be 1,200 milligrams daily, including calcium from the diet. There are other
sources of calcium, both dairy and non-dairy, which should be used first, and
then the proper amount of supplementation can be recommended. Fat-soluble
vitamin D and K, as well as magnesium, manganese, zinc and boron work
synergistically with calcium to maintain a healthy bone matrix and structure.
They should also be part of the protocol to build and maintain healthy bones.
Collagen
In addition to the mineral density that makes up
bone, the organic mass is 85 percent collagen protein. Collagen supplementation
can improve outcomes related to osteoporosis. One study found that a specific
collagen peptide, Fortibone, significantly improved
bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women. They
can also increase their collagen intake by drinking organic, grass-fed bone
broth.
Bone
Morphogenic Proteins
On the forefront of regenerative therapeutics to
address osteoporosis are bone morphogenic proteins (BMP).
There are many different types, some of which are approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration for orthopedic procedures. More studies are now showing
their systemic effects to restore bone mass and architecture, and supplements
exist that use bone morphogenic proteins to regenerate bone tissue.
Osteoporosis is common, but it is both preventable
and manageable. The interventions are most effective when started within the
third decade of life; but measures to prevent progression and fracture risk can
be taken to protect individuals with osteoporosis. Consult a healthcare
provider to inquire more about how to utilize these tools for the best
efficacy.
Dr. Ashlyn Zikmund
is a naturopathic doctor at Natural Paths to Wellness, located at
1524 Cedar Cliff Dr., in Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-494-4500 or
visit NaturalPathsToWellness.com.