Healthy bones are an integral part of a healthy body. As we age, our body’s ability to maintain bone strength becomes limited, and the need to ensure our body’s are getting all the nutrients they need becomes more and more important. Osteoporosis is a growing problem with approximately 10 million people suffering from the bone disease in 2005, resulting in about 2 million bone fractures. Most cases of osteoporosis, however, could have been avoided with healthy nutrition and supplementation. But as it stands today, 50% of women and 25% of men over 50 suffer from osteoporosis.

[Read More] [Read Less]

Bone Strength Benefits:
*Maintains bone health
*Builds strong, flexible bones
*Supports calcium absorption
*Combat osteoporosis

Osteoporosis
The defining characteristics of osteoporosis are low bone mass and structural bone tissue deterioration. Osteoporosis makes bones fragile and easy to fracture, especially in hips, spine, and wrists. Bones are a complex living tissue and need to be nourished and supported with proper nutrition and exercise. After age 30, bones no longer grow and build at the same rate, but instead begin to break down faster than they are produced. Drops in estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone brought on by the aging process causes bone loss, affecting all people, but particularly women after menopause.

Maintaining Bone Strength
Calcium is a very important mineral in terms of bone strength. Bones need to be flexible and strong in order to prevent fractures and weakness. Calcium is a bone density nutrient that adheres to the bone matrix to provide strength. The bone matrix is a flexible protein part of the bone, and exercise strengthens the bone matrix while calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals help to nourish the bones. Hormones help build the bone matrix and exercise strengthens it along with the protein osteocalcin that binds calcium to the bone matrix.

Bone Nutrition: Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin K is very important for bone health, as it binds calcium to the bone matrix. Vitamin D plays a role by improving calcium absorption, while vitamin C is important for collagen formation and protein stimulation. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, reduces the risk of bone fractures, and vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid lower homocysteine levels related to osteoporosis. Magnesium is central in bone strength because of its ability to help calcium absorption. Phosphorus is another important mineral, helping to metabolise calcium and support bone formation.

Lifestyle
When it comes to maintaining bone strength and health, the most important actions that can be taken are regular physical activity and proper nutrition. Diet, lifestyle, and genetics are important factors face when dealing with bone health. If these factors are not taken seriously they can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Every person’s body is different, and it is therefore important to research what type of supplement is best for you and your body’s needs. And in terms of supplementation, avoiding osteoporosis and other bone strength related health issues is by and large a matter of proper nutrition.