What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease where the bones gradually become weaker and weaker.  It can cause changes in posture and make you susceptible to bone fractures and compression of the spinal vertebrae. Osteoblasts are cells that make bone and Osteoclasts are cells that remove old bone for the minerals to be used elsewhere in the body. When Osteoclasts take away old bone faster than can be replaced by the Osteoblasts the bones become less dense and bones can break easily. It is possible to have Osteoporosis in one area of our skeletal system and not in another. Due to nutritional and hormonal physiological differences in males and females, Osteoporosis affects more women than men. Men seem to suffer more as a side effect of certain medications which cause low bone mass. Our bones are strongest around the ages of 30 to 35, there after we have a natural decline of bone density which reaches its peak during the time of menopause which can be accelerated due to an unbalanced diet and other factors. Many people believe osteoporosis is caused by a calcium deficiency and that taking a calcium supplement will sort this out. This is not the case.

It was requested of me to do and article on “The effects of caffeine on Osteoporosis” in which case all the research that I have come across has indicated that caffeine will aid with the loss of calcium from the body, however caffeine is not the only culprit – let’s get a clearer picture of this.

Contributors to Osteoporosis include caffeine, lack of exercise, not enough sunlight, an acidic diet as well as a diet lacking bone building vitamins and minerals, long term use of certain medications, smoking, and decreased hormone production. Lets’ take a closer look at these:

Caffeine – Caffeine is a stimulant found in some beverages, foods and some medications. It is believed to deplete the bodies’ fluid resources; increasing urination causing excessive calcium to be lost from the body. Caffeine has an acidic effect on the body. Caffeine also has a negative effect on the hormonal system. According to a study published in the American journal of clinical nutrition in 2001 caffeine was discovered to have a negative impact on elderly women’s bone density.

Lack of Exercise – Weak muscles will give less support to the skeletal system. Lack of exercise will accelerate loss of bone mass. Exercises as easy as walking, jogging, or dancing daily can boost the health of your bones.

Lack of Sunlight – Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium and helps keep the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. When our skin is exposed to sunlight cholesterol is converted into Vitamin D.

An Acidic diet – the typical western diet – high in refined carbohydrate, animal protein and fat, canned and processed foods. Not only does this type of diet lack good nutrition but it leaves the system very acidic. Carbonated drinks contain high amounts of phosphates and can cause the body to eliminate calcium.

Long term use of medication, such as diuretics, anti-seizure, blood thinners, anti-ulcer drugs and antacid abuse have been linked to increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture risk.

Cigarette smoking – recent studies have shown a direct link between smoking and decreased bone density. Calcium is drawn from the bones and teeth in order to neutralise the acidic effect from the nicotine.

Decreased hormone production is probably the primary cause of bone loss among women. Dr. John.R.Lee, author of the best selling “What your Doctor may NOT tell you about Menopause” found that 100 participants between the ages of 38 to 83 that engaged in a Natural osteoporosis treatment program that included dietary changes, nutritional supplements and exercise in addition to estrogen/progesterone or progesterone only had an increase in bone density every year by 3 – 5% until it stabilised at the bone density levels expected for a 35 year old women.

So how do we support and keep our bones healthy?

• Cut out or keep your caffeine products to a minimum. If you get your fix from coffee or tea why not try replacing it with herbal teas or even better – water!
• ·        Get moving! Exercise, even if you start off with 5 -10 minutes a day and increase to 20 – 30 minutes daily and it can be an easy weight bearing exercise such as walking. Not only will it be good for your bone health but it will reverse the detrimental effects of stress, lift depression, improve circulation, build self-esteem and improve body image, improve the circulation of immune cells in your blood and leave you feeling euphoric!
• Sunshine, Sunshine, Sunshine! Get some natural sunlight exposure for about 20 minutes daily. You might as well do this whilst exercising.
• Sticking to a more alkaline forming diet will not only improve your skeletal health but improve your health overall. Avoid/Limit refined carbohydrates, animal protein and fat, canned and processed foods. These are foods that leave an acid-ash in the blood stream. Increase foods that are alkaline-ash forming foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Great alkaline forming AIM products are the AIM BarleyLife, AIM LeafGreens, AIM ProPeas and AIMega. The AIM Living Well Partners magazine for Sep-Oct 2010 had a nice chart on Alkaline and Acid forming foods on page 27.  So see your magazine for these helpful guidelines.
• If you are on medications please DO NOT go off them without your Doctors consent. If you are concerned about your medication chat to your Doctor and see what solutions she/he can offer you.
• QUIT Smoking. Need I say more?
• Digestive Health. What good will it be if you are eating all the right foods but not absorbing the nutrients because your digestive system is not working efficiently. In order to assimilate the nutrients we need from our food I would recommend adding the AIM Prepzymes and AIM Florafood to aid digestion to ensure maximum assimilation of nutrients.