Bone Health

Did you know that if you want optimum bone health, you'll need more than just Calcium?

According to the National Institutes of Health, over 25 million Americans are at risk of developing osteoporosis.

During menopause, the normal balance of breaking down and re-building bone is often thrown off. Whether you believe, like Doug, that this is due to yeast overgrowth, or just the normal process of aging, there is no question that it affects a tremendous number of women making them unable to take part in many activities with their families.

Osteoporosis is often associated with inadequate calcium intake. There's no question that calcium is essential. It helps our nervous system, protects the heart, builds our teeth and bones, and may even protect us against cancer. But is it the only nutrient that can help protect our bones as we age?

Absolutely not. You wouldn't want a bone supplement without Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for the transport and absorption of calcium. Actually, vitamin D is a hormone. It can be formed when our skin is exposed to sunlight, which is another excuse for me to head outdoors! The sunlight reacts with a cholesterol in our skin and is transformed into vitamin D. Severe Vitamin D deficiency can cause the bone weakening disease known as rickets. Mild vitamin D deficiency can cause diarrhea, insomnia, and vision problems. It has even been shown to prevent some forms of cancer. This vitamin - or hormone - is one of the most overlooked but important nutrients in our bodies.

So how can we protect our bones as we age? There is no doubt that exercise is essential. Studies have shown that as we build muscle, our bones adapt to the extra tissue by building up and strengthening. Check with your doctor to see if you're able to begin an exercise program immediately. Also tell your doctor that you are interested in adding extra calcium and vitamin D to your multivitamin foundation everyday. While adding vegetables - lots of vegetables - to your diet is critical, it'll be challenging to get all of your calcium and vitamin D from diet alone. It will take at least 4 cups of organic leafy greens like kale or spinach everyday just to get the minimum daily requirement of calcium. I always recommend taking Calcium Citrate along with our BioPLUS multivitamin. Together, these will give you the nutritional foundation for a healthy frame.

Would you like to know more about Bone Health? Call my office or visit the Healthy Bones web page.

I'm Guy Evans, and now you know!