Fast Facts about Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone loses its density and mass, making one prone to fractures and sprains.
- People at most risk of being affected by osteoporosis include women aged 45+. However, men and children of all both genders can also be affected.
- Although osteoporosis has little to do with ethnicity, it is most commonly in white and Asian women.
- A few risk factors of osteoporosis such as poor nutrition and smoking are modifiable.
- There are rarely any symptoms of osteoporosis. It can only be detected once the bone has already lost some of it density and caused a sprain or fracture.
- The fractures occurred due to osteoporosis are mostly in the hip, spine and wrists.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which the bones become brittle and weak, so weak that even a little stress might result in a mild fracture or sprain that requires medical assistance. In other words, it is a disease in which the bone and density and mass is lost. When one suffers from severe cases of osteoporosis where the bone density and mass. It is the most common cause of hip, spine and wrist fractures.
The primary cause of osteoporosis is the imbalance between the old and new bone resorption. It could either be the result of lack of new bone formation or too much reabsorption of the old bone or both. In order to stay healthy, the bones need two essential minerals –phosphate and calcium. The body stores both of these throughout the lifetime. But both of these minerals are also required by the body to perform a number of other tasks such as keeping the kidneys, heart and brain functioning properly. The body occasionally collected the stored calcium form the bones to keep them functioning properly. However, a problem arises where there is not sufficient calcium stored in the body. When the body doesn’t receive enough calcium to reabsorb, it has a direct impact on the bone tissue and bone formation. As a result, the bones become weak over time, becoming prone to fractures, injuries and breaking.
People who are at most risk include women in their 40s, 50s and above or past menopause. Asian and white women as compared to women of the races contribute the most to the statistics.
Symptoms
Osteoporosis has no outward symptoms, which is one reason why it is almost impossible to diagnose unless the individual has already suffered a sprain or dislocation. However, there are some noticeable symptoms that one might observe when their bones get weakened due to osteoporosis. These symptoms include:
- height loss overtime
- Back pain triggered by a collapsed or fractured vertebra
- Stooped posture
- Fracture occurred very easily while performing day to day task such as bending down or standing up
Supplements
While eating a healthy diet and regular exercise helps to manage Osteoporosis, it is not enough to keep you fit and healthy. Supplements are essential for managing Osteoporosis and reducing its symptoms. But it should be kept in mind that supplements should not be used to replace the treatment for Osteoporosis. It is not always true that natural products are safe for use. Many products can react with your body and produce an adverse reaction. Thus, it is better to be safe and consult your before starting to use any supplements for managing your condition.
The following supplements have proven to benefit people with Osteoporosis:
Horsetail
Belonging to the Equisetaceae family; horsetail is among those very few plants that have been on the course of earth for more than 3 hundred million years. It contains silica which is an important source in bone repairing. Silica helps the body in storing calcium so that the body can utilize it when needed.
Wild Oats
Wild oats perform the same functions as horsetail. These too, are rich in silica, calcium and many other nutrients which help the body prevent osteoporosis, strengthen and repair brittle nails and nourish the nervous system.
Red Clover
Red clover is an excellent source of valuable nutrients including calcium, magnesium, chromium, phosphorus, Vitamin C and potassium etc All of these, including isoflavones that act like estrogens prevent osteoporosis.
Comfrey
Used topically since ancient times, comfrey is the most effective way to treat condition related to bones. It is also referred to as knitbone by many, thanks to its potent healing properties. Multiple recent studies have confirmed that comfrey possesses may such nutrients and vitamins that aid in the treatment of connective tissue injuries, bruises, muscular impairment etc. it also eases joint pain.
Red Raspberry
Red raspberry is another all-natural remedy rich in vitamins and minerals. It comes highly recommended when looking to promote the health of bones, teeth and hair.
The above natural supplements are known to help in controlling and managing Osteoporosis, but you should exercise proper caution and ask your doctor before adding any such supplements for in your diet. Herbs have lasting and strong effects on the body and can also interact with other drugs and medications, causing dangerous and adverse reactions. If you use any medication for your disease, talk to your doctor before you decide to start any supplements or herbal products to manage your health condition.