Supporting Healthy Bones and Joints
Many of us are looking at ways to maintain our bones and joints in an effort to age well and avoid bone loss challenges. However, there are so many different options available that it can be a challenge to decide what is best for you. And remember – it’s about what YOU need for YOUR health to Power Your Greatness!
One thing to remember is that your bones are remodeling (old bone being broken down and new bone being made) every day. This process happens faster when we are younger, but no matter what our age, it happens daily. The Mayo Clinic notes that our maximum bone density occurs usually around the age of 30 years old, but we can continue to build new bone as long as we are alive. However, there are certain things that can affect bone health.
A few of the key factors that the Mayo Clinic1 notes can affect bone health include the following:
- The amount of calcium in your diet
- Your physical activity
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Hormone levels
- Prescription medications
- Gender (women usually have less bone tissue than men)
Getting an adequate intake of calcium is important for bone support. The primary form of calcium that is in the bone is calcium phosphate (aka hydroxyapatite). Bones contain almost 99% of the calcium found in the body while the remaining 1% of calcium is found in the blood, muscles and other tissues. Calcium is an essential macromineral that must be consumed because the body cannot manufacture it.
Collagen is also part of the bone (and joints). It provides a soft framework while calcium adds the strength and hardness support. The body can make collagen from essential amino acids or it can be consumed in supplement form. Additional nutrients associated with supporting bone health include Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2, as both have shown to be important to support bone remodeling. 2,3
Providing proper bone support involves more than just adding a vitamin. Review the above list of factors reported by the Mayo Clinic and then decide on you supplement needs. So how do you select the right product? Make sure to look at the supplement facts panel on your chosen product to verify you are getting the ‘hydroxyapatite’ form of calcium, if you are looking for bone support. Remember, this is the form of calcium that is in the bone! You can also find supplements that would include Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2, or those can be taken separately. And as always, consult your health care provider when you are planning any changes to your diet, exercise or supplement regimen.
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bonehealth/
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2 https://www.britannica.com/science/bone-anatomy
3 https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/what-is-bone






