The Path to Osteoporosis Prevention
Osteoporosis is a chronic, progressive lifestyle disease that affects millions of Americans, particularly women. It is estimated that anywhere between 20-50% of post-menopausal women are affected by low bone density. The major causes include old age, hereditary bone health, low body weight (<127 lbs), smoking, and being on steroid therapy (e.g. Prednisone).
Other important risk factors include poor nutrition, low hormone production, excess alcohol and lack of exercise. Osteoporosis is often preventable by taking simple steps to build and support bone density.
NUTRITION & LIFESTYLE
The average American adult falls short in consuming the key vitamins and minerals the body requires to properly function. The Standard American Diet is full of processed foods, additives and low-quality fats, protein, and carbohydrates, leaving the body struggling to properly regenerate bones and regulate hormones.
Lifestyle also has a significant impact on our health, positive and negative. Be sure to practice weight bearing exercise, manage stress levels, get adequate sleep (7-9 hours), and begin mineralizing your water for optimal nutrient absorption.
HORMONES
During the first 10 years of menopause, most women are eating the same foods, exercising the same way, and consuming the same amount of vital nutrients, yet still lose a significant amount of bone mass. The only major change is that the body’s production of hormones dramatically declines, directly impacting bone density.
Bone is a living tissue and it’s believed to be completely replaced once every ten years. This continual replacement process involves osteoclast cells (dissolving old bone) and osteoblast cells (building new bone). For this reason, growth hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, are one of the most important, if not the most important aspect of bone health.
• Estrogen – controls the action of osteoclasts, thus slowing bone loss
• Progesterone and testosterone – increases the action of osteoblasts, therefore increasing the rate of new bone building
HORMONE THERAPIES AND HERBAL ALTERNATIVES
Traditionally, doctors have successfully used Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to improve bone density, but the slightly increased risk of breast cancer and stroke has resulted in many women choosing not to take hormones. Additionally, once HRT is stopped, women will lose bone again.
More recently, however, published clinical research on a concentrated herbal preparation called Maca-GO has been the first to demonstrate statistically significant effects on hormones in postmenopausal women and improved bone density. Instead of introducing hormones into the body, Maca-GO supports the body’s own production of hormones through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis allowing women to use this long-term.
Stages of Bone Health
Stage 1
is during the first 25 years of life when you build the strongest, most dense bones and minimize any actions that may compromise bone building.
Stage 2
is from 26 years of age to menopause, when you take steps to avoid the breakdown of bone.
Stage 3
is during post-menopause, which is generally over 50 years of age, when you support both bone growth and limit bone loss.
Symphony Natural Health believes achieving complete health is a unique process for each person that requires interaction and communication between you, your healthcare professional and sources of health information and products. In order to facilitate unabridged communication, they look to establish a one-on-one relationship directly with you and your healthcare professional. Their medical team is available 7 days a week to answer any questions. Call 415.243.9991 or e-mail medical.team@ symphonynaturalhealth.com.
