Herbal Medicines For Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, or "brittle bones," occurs when the bone density is reduced, resulting in thin, weak, and porous bones. The bone becomes thin due to a loss of calcium, causing persistent backache, in the neck, rib, and hip area, The back gradually becomes stooped, reducing height. The causes of osteoporosis are varied, and include:

menopause, when the female hormone estrogen is no longer produced (estrogen has a protective effect on the bones)

deficiency in calcium and vitamins C and D

malabsorption

long-term use of corticosteroids

rheumatoid arthritis

immobilization

lack of sunshine.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition

Increase your intake of dark green, leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, fish, beans, peas, dark blue­black berries, cherries, raspberries, citrus-rinds, and colorful fruits. Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates, fat, animal products, and fizzy drinks. Dietary supplements include vitamins B6 100mg, folic acid 1mg, B12 1mg, calcium citrate 1g, and magnesium citrate 500 mg daily. An alternative treatment is natural progesterone cream, with added vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Acupuncture This can restore the balance of energy in the body and provide relief from pain. Malabsorption may also be addressed.

Naturopathy Biochemic tissue salts Calc. fluor. and Calc. phos. taken four times daily for four weeks.

Massage Aromatherapeutic massage, relaxation therapy, and shiatsu may be useful.

Herbalism Treatment may include the following as teas: dong quai, false unicorn root, black cohosh, licorice, and fennel.

Osteopathy (Including Cranial) Gentle techniques for joint mobility will maintain musculoskeletal integrity.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

AS is a degenerative rheumatic disease where spinal joints become inflamed, stiff, and eventually fused. It develops slowly. Symptoms are usually worse after rest and later may affect the chest, shoulders, hips, and knees, spreading up to the neck in severe cases.

Treatment

Seek treatment from a registered practitioner who will prescribe according to your specific symptoms and constitution. Mobility delays fusion, and swimming and stretching may be suggested.

Tens (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) This uses electrodes to block nerve impulses and to stimulate the release of endorphins.

Hydrotherapy Epsom salt baths may be suggested, or adding aroma therapeutic oils to the bathwater, including lavender, rosemary, and basil. Massage with these oils may also relieve symptoms.

Homeopathy Treatment should be constitutional, but Arnica, Rhus tox. and Bryonia may be appropriate short term remedies.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal treatment may consist of black willow, devil's claw, and bogbean, taken as teas.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Acupuncture and Osteopathy These can be helpful.

How Much Do You Know About Osteoporosis? There is a Lot to Know!

In the past , osteoporosis received relatively little attention among medical professionals because there was so little that could be done to treat this condition. It has always been known how serious osteoporosis is (hip fractures, need for nursing home care etc.) but there was not much that could be done to change the progression of the disease process.

Over recent years there have been substantial advancements in the treatment of osteoporosis. There are now medications that have been proven to be effective at actually increasing bone mass. Furthermore, there has been substantial progress in the evaluation and monitoring of the condition.

In the past, women's health care providers could only give their patients the following recommendations to manage/prevent osteoporosis:

- take Vitamin D and calcium supplements

- get sun exposure and exercise

- take hormonal supplements, if appropriate, based on their medical history

Now , with the development of bone-building medications and the advanced technology to monitor bone density, the management of osteoporosis is approached very differently as the focus is no longer on prevention, but instead, on treatment.

Like so many other medical illnesses, there are no signs or symptoms of this disease until it is manifested by clinical problems resulting from its long term effects (spontaneous fractures etc.) . As a result , compliance with treatment programs for osteoporosis are poor, as there is no perceived benefit to the patient until it is too late to make a significant difference in their prognosis.

Be proactive when it comes to learning about osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about bone health. If you have a family history of osteoporosis it is even more important that you address this topic at an early age.

Years ago, it didn't seem to matter whether this problem was addressed as there was so little that could be done. I hope I am helping women (and men) realize that this is definitely not the case today.

I simply want to raise awareness about osteoporosis. There are extensive resources available on the management of osteoporosis. Check out the many government-sponsored health organizations for more information. Hip fractures, in particular, account for so much morbidity and need for nursing home care it is astounding.

Here is the World Health Organization (WHO) fracture risk tool: http://shef.ac.uk/FRAX

Could Line Dancing Save You From Osteoporosis?

How can it be possible to improve your bone density and have fun at the same time? A group of scientific researchers certainly thought it was possible. They gathered together 45 older women who had passed menopause, and followed them for several months as they carried out chosen exercises that were believed to improve bone density. One of them was line dancing!

YOUR BONE CELLS CHANGE WHEN YOU PUT THEM UNDER PRESSURE

Scientists have long known that pressure on bones causes them to become stronger. When your skeleton is exposed to weight bearing exercise, the osteoblasts, cells that form bone, soon begin to outnumber the osteoclasts, cells which dissolve bone tissue for remodelling. In osteoporosis there's more bone dissolving going on than building, resulting in fragile bones that break all too easily. But how much weight do you need to put on your skeleton to have a safe but positive effect?

After all if your bones are already fragile, you don't want to exert them to shocks that could bring on another break. Sit in any café in the world for an hour or so and you'll see several older women hobbling past, nervously pushing their walkers and worried that the next fall could take away their independence.

Many studies have looked at resistance training involving static weights at the gym. Although very effective, many people find it difficult to continually comply with an activity that they 'have to' do rather than look forward to. And if you're an older women who has lost her partner, then the gym, where most weight trainers are fully focused on themselves, can be yet another experience of social isolation.

THE FUN EXERCISE THAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR BONES

Researchers from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Griffith University knew that to maintain compliance in the long term exercise has to be easy to do, low cost, safe and appealing. So they divided the women into groups. All the women put their happy feet on and headed out to learn line dancing at least once a week. Some of the women did loaded leg squats or foot stamping at home too.

THE WOMEN WHO WENT LINE DANCING GOT RESULTS

The force of feet hitting the floor in line dancing exerted enough pressure to make a subtle positive difference in the bones of the participants over several months. But it did more than that: The women who participated reported better balance and stronger leg muscles, and the opportunity to have fun in a group probably helped them psychologically too. I bet most of them are still dancing!

How could you use this information to make a difference in your bone health? You know how important it is to exercise, and you know that weight bearing exercise is the best for stimulating bone growth. Why not have fun in the process? You could join a local line dancing group, which will give you hours of dancing fun without needing a partner. Have fun!

Osteoporosis and Strontium - What Does the Research Say?

Research indicates that strontium can improve bone density by 8-14% over three years. But there is no evidence that prescription strontium is more effective than strontium citrate...which is available in health food stores.

What is Strontium?

Strontium is a common element (number 38 on the periodic table) which comprises about 0.04 percent of the earths crust and is also abundant in seawater. But of greatest interest to people concerned about osteoporosis is that the human body contains about 320 mg. of strontium...nearly all of which is in our bone and connective tissue.

EARLY RESEARCH ON STRONTIUM

Strontium was first listed in Squire's Companion to the British Pharma-copoiea in 1884 for osteoporosis treatment and was listed in the Dispensatory of the United States of America as late as 1955. For decades in the first half of the twentieth century, strontium salts were administered to assist with bone health.

In 1959, the Mayo Clinic investigated the effect of strontium on 32 individuals suffering from osteoporosis and concluded that "the therapeutic value of the drug appears to be established". But strontium soon fell out of favor when atomic bomb testing converted natural strontium into a radioactive form called strontium-90 which poisoned our food and water sources.  But in the 80s and 90s, a series of small studies reinforced the positive findings of the Mayo Clinic:

1981: a McGill University study involving 142 patients revealed increased bone mineral density with strontium

1989: studies involving strontium chloride showed benefits for reducing cavities and teeth sensitivity

1990s: animal studies involving strontium ranelate showed positive results

Recent Research on Strontium Ranelate and Strontium Malonate

Interest in strontium has been rekindled by a number of compelling studies conducted by pharmaceutical companies -- using ranelic acid (strontium ranelate) in Europe and now malonate in the US.

Stratos Trial (2002)

The STRATOS trial in 2002 tested strontium in doses of 170, 340 and 680 mg./day and found a significant reduction in new vertebral fractures and improved bone metabolism in the group that received 680 mg/day of strontium for two years. The authors concluded that the 680 mg./day dose offered the best combination of efficacy and safety.

Stratos Trial (2004)

The first Stratos trial was followed by a much larger study of 1,649 osteoporotic postmenopausal women over a three year period. Participants that received 680 mg. of strontium daily (as well as calcium and vitamin D supplements) increased lumbar bone mineral density by an average of 14.4 percent and femoral neck BMD an average of 8.3 percent.

Tropos Study (2005)

The Tropos study in 2005 focused on non-vertebral fractures amongst over 5,000 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. After five years, this double-blind placebo-controlled study found an 8.2% improvement in the femoral neck and a 9.8% improvement in the total hip bone density.

STRONG STUDY-PHASE II (2007)

In 2007, the American company Osteologix announced the results of its phase II clinical trial involving 289 postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density. It reported that at 3 months, a 680 mg. dose of strontium malonate had increased lumbar spine BMD by 2.66%. Strontium therapy was well-tolerated and side effects were generally mild in all dose groups.

IS PRESCRIPTION STRONTIUM BETTER THAN STRONTIUM CITRATE?

The earlier studies using strontium carbonate, strontium lactate, and strontium gluconate suggest that the active ingredient for strengthening bones is strontium rather than the salt combined with the mineral. The studies also suggest that the amount of strontium consumed is more important than the kind of salt that is used.

Strontium has not been approved as a drug in the United States or Canada but strontium citrate is readily available in health food stores throughout the world...as are the calcium and vitamin D supplements needed for the strontium to be effective.

Further information on the recommended dosage and timing of strontium, calcium and vitamin D supplements may be found at http://www.osteoporosis-vitamins.com

Naturopathic Remedy for Osteoporosis

As we get older, our bones tend to weaken. When it is mild, it is called loss of bone density, however if it reach the severe stage, it is called, osteoporosis. Losing bone density usually starts at the age of 40 for both women and men.

Now you don't have to go too far, and get an even harmful and not effective medication just to remedy your osteoporosis. Naturopathic remedy is now the answer for any kind of disease, one of which is osteoporosis. This is more natural. More effective and much cheaper compared to those prescribed by your doctor.

Do weight bearing exercises.

Studies show that doing this naturopathic remedy such as brisk walking will increase bone density and strengthens the bones. One of the factors for such is the hormonal balance. One of the female hormones called estrogens is believed to have a protective effect in the bones. Usually for women, the onset of osteoporosis is after their menopausal stage, when their estrogen is in low level. Stay in healthy and keep exercising a daily habit.

Diet and Nutrition

Another naturopathic remedy for osteoporosis is modifying your diet and nutrition if you have been doing a little worse in managing your diet. Include foods that are rich in calcium and Vitamin D, in which Vitamin D is available through sunshine. Example of the foods that can prevent and delay the onset of osteoporosis are green and leafy vegetables, salmon, tuna and sardines, sesame seeds, avocado, onion, garlic and eggs. Avoid nicotine and carbonated products as well as products which contain greater level of salt.

Herb

Dynaria root also called dynaria fortune is used for kidney nourishment and bone strengthening. Redinclover or trifolium pratnese containing isoflavons that may help prevent the breakdown of existing mass of bones. These two herbs have been widely and effectively as a naturopathic remedy for osteoporosis.

Be cautious.

Another good naturopathic remedy is being cautious at all time and at all means. No one will harm your own body but you yourself alone. Be careful of your fluoride intake, though it can increase bone density, however, it does not protect the bone against fracture. Evade aluminium content as well which can be obtained from cooking pots, antiperspirants and anti acids because it leads to excretion of calcium in the urine. Be careful also of the lead content, for it disrupts Vitamin D's ability of interacting with calcium.

Take note of all of this and be extra cautious with your lifestyle. The foods that you eat you eat, your exercises that you get and every activity that may affect your body. Still, prevention is better than cure. However, if unavoidable, you can resort to the points mentioned above for naturopathic remedy of your osteoporosis.

What's a Good Mattress For a Woman With Advanced Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease. To find relief to this problem, one should not solely rely on the right mattress. However, finding the right mattress to use can definitely help a lot in somehow alleviating the painful symptoms of this condition.

When you have osteoporosis, your chances of getting irreparable bone fracture are high. This is because the foundations of the bones are slowly deteriorating in function. A good mattress should be able to help correct sleep posture so you do not end up with an even more painful back ache.

Most experts will advice the use of orthopaedic beds. These are good to support the crucial areas of the body that requires the most support. You can try looking for either latex mattress or memory foam mattress. The spine-free ones are good choices.

Purchasing innerspring mattress is not a good idea as these mattresses tend to develop lumps after some time. Lumps and mattress depressions can severely damage spinal conditions. In exaggerated claims, it is like sleeping on top of a time bomb.

But anyway, your best bet is to invest in a latex mattress and memory foam mattress. They are both slightly more expensive than typical mattresses but these features a mattress that can help improve sleep posture. They are designed to alleviate back pain and provide solutions to many sleep problems.

Memory foam is denser than average mattresses. It usually has a firm surface support. When you lie on top of the mattress, it is does not provide plushy comfort but it pushes back against your body. But as it adjusts to your body temperature, it begins to lose some of its rigidness and it starts to provide comfort to the whole body.

However, even experts have to agree that a density of 4 pounds is already enough. If you purchase 5 pounds or higher, it may already be too firm. You can consult your physician and ask for an educated advice.

Latex foams naturally have 4 pounds of density. Many people have already found relief with this type of bed especially those with back problems. It alleviates body pain in such a way that the upper part of the mattress comes with firmer pincore holes that provide upper body support. The lower part cushions your lower body so there is balance.

You can greatly find relief with these two mattresses just make sure that you are purchasing the right brand of mattress.

Osteopenia Treatment - Is a Boron Supplement Necessary?

A boron supplement can assist with the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium. It can also help vitamin D to convert to the active form needed to support calcium absorption into the bones. Fortunately, a few delicious snacks can also provide the boron we need for healthy bones.

Boron is a trace mineral (number five in the periodic table) that is most concentrated in our bones but is also found in our thyroid glands and associated organs. Boron has been linked to significant improvements in both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis through numerous studies over the past decades. The addition of a boron supplement to an osteoporosis treatment program has become common...but is it necessary?

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?

Numerous studies have been conducted on the dietary intake of boron. A quick summary of the research is as follows.

• Boron assists with the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium (Feinstein, 1996)


• Boron may be essential in the conversion of vitamin D to the active form which supports calcium absorption. (Murray, 1996).


• A diet low in boron may exacerbate vitamin D and magnesium deficiencies or any condition in which these minerals are lost in urine.


• Boron is best if taken with a well balanced vitamin and mineral supplement including calcium, magnesium, and riboflavin (vitamin B2) (Hendler, 1991).


• A study involving 12 postmenopausal women who supplemented their diet with 3 mg of boron daily resulted in reduced calcium excretion by 44 percent and dramatically increased the levels of beta-estradiol, the most biologically active estrogen. (FH Nielsen, 1987)


• Boron deficiency causes decreased serum concentrations of estrogen and testosterone- which are associated with calcium loss and bone demineralization (Murray, 1996; Somer, 1995).


• Taking boron if you are already healthy and athletic doesn't seem to make any difference in bone density.

These studies have not involved the large number of participants or the many controls required of a drug trial. But they are impressive because of their consistency in showing a positive impact of boron on bone health.

HOW MUCH BORON DO WE NEED?

Although there is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for boron, 1.5 to 3.0 milligrams daily is generally considered sufficient in a healthy diet. In 2004, the NCEA (United States National Center for Environmental Assessment) increased its allowable daily dose of boron to 14 milligrams per day. Studies have shown that dosages greater than 500 milligrams per day may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

WHERE IS BORON FOUND?

Boron is mostly found in fruits (especially dried fruits), vegetables, nuts and pulses. Rich sources (in descending order) are:

• Soybeans


• Prunes


• Raisins


• Almonds


• Peanuts


• Hazelnuts


• Dates


• Red Wine

Small quantities of these foods will meet our daily requirement. For example, a half cup of prunes (about 100 grams) fulfills the daily requirement of 2 to 3 mg of boron. A boron supplement is generally not necessary for people who maintain a well-balanced diet.

Unfortunately, a typical American diet provides only 1 mg of boron per day, partly because of the enthusiasm for meat and carbohydrates rather than fruits and vegetables. A radically low-carb diet may also lack sufficient boron unless the dieter is enriching it with greens and legumes. Similarly, an extreme low fat diet may exclude the nuts that are so rich in boron. In these cases, a boron supplement may be necessary if the dieter is unwilling to make the necessary adjustments. Fortunately, a boron supplement is usually well absorbed and is generally bioavailable.

WHAT ABOUT BORON IN WATER?

Water can be a great place to get boron but it is not a reliable source because concentrations vary so much throughout the world. In the US, boron in tap water is generally low (less than 1 milligram per liter) while in some cities in Canada it provides up to 2 milligrams per liter. Boron in US and European bottled water ranges from trace amounts to 4.35 milligrams per liter. Interestingly, water supplies in northern Chile provide a high concentration of 15.2 milligrams of boron per liter! So when we travel to Chili, we can forget our boron supplement. (For more information on water sources of boron, read Bill Sardi's "In Search of the World's Best Water")

Of course, for boron to assist with bone building we must be getting adequate calcium, magnesium and vitamin D either in our diet, through supplements or ideally a combination of the two sources. For information on how boron can be added to a natural osteoporosis prevention program, visit http://osteoporosis-vitamins.com/osteoporosis-treatment-guidelines.html