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Bone Density – Is it all its cracked up to be?
I had an interesting conversation with my local Chiropractor about bone density and diet this past week. I was under the impression that as us women age our hormone production decreases and this causes our bone density to decrease. Hence the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy as we reach menopause. I thought that making better food choices would keep me from loosing bone density. I found out that this is only a small part of the solution.
The main part of the solution is load bearing weight. As we get older and become less active, we loose bone density because our bones are no longer bearing the weight of our activities. Therefore our body “thinks” that it does not need to use the available calcium in our bodies to build bone. Without doing load bearing exercises taking calcium is just about worthless. If our bodies do not have the need to use the available calcium it simply won’t. No matter how much is available.
So the solution is a multi part solution – load bearing exercise getting enough fruits and vegetables, and supplementing with vitamins and minerals. I personally will not be taking hormone replacement therapy.
Here are some other articles on Bone Density
Getting Fit Over 40 - It’s Easier Than You Think - Another important benefit of muscle building is its effect on bone density. Women in particular are at risk for developing osteoporosis as they age. Imagine having the ability to prevent your bone density from decreasing over time. …
Treating Osteoporosis Naturally - The bone density loss can occur long before the advanced symptoms and you may not even realize you?ve got it until a simple fall or accident causes a fracture. Natural osteoporosis supplements are well worth taking to avoid such pain in …
Cola: Bad to the Bones - Experts believe that drinking soda, especially cola, affects bone density in several ways. People who drink colas are less likely to get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diets, because the soda is replacing more nutritious …
Maintain Proper Bone Density With Calcium And More - Bone consists predominantly of collagen and calcium phosphate. (…)
Here’s to your health
Dotty,
Tags: bone density, exercise, Fruits, fruits and vegetables, health, hormone replacement therapy, load bearing weight, minerals, Vegetables
March 26th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Have you tried soy? I’ve read that soy contains isoflavone called genistein and this helps maintain bone density. Tofu for lunch ?
Best,
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Hello Dotty,
Could you give me some examples of ‘load-bearing’ exercises? especially ones that can be performed at home or in our backyard? I don’t agree with the hormone replacement therapy prescribed by doctors because it is synthetic but to re-teach our body to use the calcium to make and keep bone density, wild yam and dong quai and black cohosh worked best for me. I already notice some density loss in my mouth where teeth should be strong and two are not, weak roots weak calcium desnisification principle going on where acid accumulates. I see a pattern in myself . . . you brought up good points. Know your body, feel what it requires and don’t deprive it. Great post !
Nice to meet you,
sharing the light,
Miss Erica Hidvegi, the Enlightenment_Advisor, B.A. Psych/M.A. Transpersonal Studies- Cnslng/Author, Artist, Photographer,
Entrepreneur & Freelance extraordinaire
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:03 am
Hi Erica
A load bearing exercise can be anything from push-ups to using a 5 pound weight and walking. Basically anything that will put the pressure of weight upon your system. Here is an article with several examples of bone building exercises.