As we age, building stronger bones becomes more and more important in our daily lives. For those of us over the age of 50, Osteoporosis is a major concern. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an osteoporosis fracture every 3 seconds [1]. In the United States alone, It is estimated that Osteoporosis affects 54% of adults 50 years of age and older. More concerning for women is the fact that most fractures occur in postmenopausal women [2] [3] [4] without a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
So, what can you do to help build stronger bones? First and foremost data shows that Osteoporosis in women is most affected by menopause or hormone imbalance. The female body is comprised of three different Estrogens, along with Progesterone and Testosterone as the prominent sex hormones. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all have effects on bone strength. Estrogen exerts its main effect on osteoclasts which are responsible for the removal of old bone.
Progesterone stimulates osteoblasts which are responsible for bone building or bone growth. Testosterone has been said to be the hormone that adds strength to the bones. What is important to notice about hormonal effects on bones is that there must be a balance since each hormone provides a different aspect of bone health.
If you would like more information about hormones and Osteoporosis contact me at 361-853-2061.
The second part of bone health is nutrition, and while hormones are important to bone health they cannot provide strong bones without key nutrients. It can be said that hormones are the construction workers for building bone while nutrients are the ingredients necessary for strong bones. Construction workers without supplies cannot do very much. With so many nutritional supplements on the market how do you know which are the most important to build and maintain strong bones? Following is a list of key nutrients and why they are necessary.
- Boron - A trace element that is capable of providing proper bone growth and development, and positively influences minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and acts synergistically with vitamin D.
- Calcium - the most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for maintaining bone mass. The body is also constantly using calcium in muscle and nerve functions as well as to carry out functions in the heart. If a person's diet does not include enough calcium to replace what is used, the body will pull from the stored supply of calcium in the bones, weakening them and increasing the risk of fracture.
- Collagen - the most abundant protein in the body. It provides structural support to the extracellular space of connective tissues. Due to its rigidity and resistance to stretching, it is the perfect matrix for skin, tendons, bones, and ligaments.
- Copper - has been associated with increased bone mineral density [5].
- Vitamin D - aids in calcium absorption and also stimulates osteoblast (bone building) activity.
- Vitamin K2 - decreases osteoblast dysfunction thereby promoting bone building
- Magnesium - stimulates calcitonin that helps to preserve bone structure by drawing calcium back out of the blood and soft tissues and back into the bone; suppresses parathyroid thereby preventing it from breaking down bone
- Manganese - aids in bone mineral density.
So, Is there a product that I recommend for Osteoporosis? Yes, there is.
About a year ago I formulated a vitamin supplement pack that contains all of these ingredients, and so was born our Bone Health Pack.
Moore’s Bone Health Pack is conveniently packaged in twice a day pouches that allows you to get each of the supplements you need for stronger bones without having to buy them all separately; and then try to remember how much of each you need to take.
Kelby Gorman, R.Ph.
Nutrition Specialist
Moore’s Compounding Pharmacy
Sources:
[1] Johnell, O. and J.A. Kanis, An estimate of the worldwide prevalence and disability associated with osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporos Int, 2006. 17(12): p. 1726-33.
[2] Siris, E.S., et al., Bone mineral density thresholds for pharmacological intervention to prevent fractures. Arch Intern Med, 2004. 164(10): p. 1108-12.
[3] Pasco, J.A., et al., The population burden of fractures originates in women with osteopenia, not osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int, 2006. 17(9): p. 1404-9.
[4] Sornay-Rendu, E., et al., Identification of osteopenic women at high risk of fracture: the OFELY study. J Bone Miner Res, 2005. 20(10): p. 1813-9.
[5] Fan Y, Ni S, Zhang H. Associations of copper intake with bone mineral density and osteoporosis in adults: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Biol Trace Elem Res. Published online July 20, 2021. doi:10.1007/s12011-021-02845-5
