Natural Ways To Slow Bone Loss

Osteoporosis, Estrogen Loss and Broken Bones

Osteoporosis, the loss of bone density, which seems to be a natural part of the aging process, can present certain challenges for women, particularly those who are menopausal. As estrogen supplies decrease during perimenopause and menopause, bone density decreases as well. Estrogen plays a vital part in bone health and unless some type of treatment is undertaken to arrest the loss, the result is often brittle bones, which break and fracture very easily.

There are many ways a woman can combat bone loss and ensure her bone density levels are up-to-snuff. When her bones are strong and healthy, the likelihood of being laid-up with a severe break to the hip or pelvis (which is where many breaks happen in post-menopausal women) is greatly reduced.

The Calcium Key

Replacing minerals that are integral to bone health and development is the most obvious starting point. Calcium is such a mineral. 1000mg of calcium taken daily can significantly reduce the possibility of bone fractures. It can also be obtained through diet from such sources as green leafy vegetables, sprouts, whole grains, soy foods, and vegetable complex carbohydrates. Excellent sources of plant minerals can be found in dried sea vegetables (seaweed, nori) and herbs. The key to calcium absorption is in adequate vitamin intake. It is vitamin deficiencies rather than aging that causes a reduction in the absorption of minerals. Taking a good multivitamin along with mineral supplementation helps to keep bones healthy.

The Sunshine Vitamin

Osteoporosis is closely linked to nutrition. Young people with nutritional deficiencies can also suffer from osteoporosis. A calcium rich diet, as mentioned above, as well as adequate measures of vitamin D will help to keep bones strong. Vitamin D is necessary for many functions within the body, and is readily available, without charge, from the sky above us. The sun provides us with enough vitamin D to take care of our nutritional need for that vitamin in just 15 to 20 minutes of exposure to the face, hands, and arms, every day. If you live in a place, where winters hide the sun, investigate the viability of a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D not only helps with bone production, it also helps with absorption of calcium.

Herbal Treatments For Hormones

Hormonal balance is another important factor in combating bone loss. There are non-estrogen and phytoestrogenic herbs available that help to balance hormones during menopause. Hormones are important to bone formation, as we note with estrogen and testosterone. Adrenal function is also a factor when it comes to low bone density so it is important to have that checked as well.

The use of estrogen replacement and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) are often used as ways to deal with bone loss and osteoporosis. However, while they are effective, there are natural methods that produce excellent results without the risks of synthetic hormone replacement.