Osteoporosis - Natural Bone Health Agents

There are a number of natural substances in Osteo Nutrients that are helpful in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.

Calcium

• RDA = 1,000 mg.
• Premenopausal women over age 35 who ingest less than the RDA are likely to be in a state of negative calcium balance.
• Essential nutrient for the prevention of bone fractures associated with bone loss.
• Major component of assertive intervention regimens to prevent bone loss in pre-menopausal women.
• Supplementation slows post-menopausal bone loss, delays onset of osteoporosis and reduces risk of fracture.
• "Even small increases in the usage rate of supplementation are predicted to yield significant savings and to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with hip fracture at an advanced age."
• "Low calcium intake has been implicated in the development of hypertension, colon cancer, and premenstrual syndrome."

Magnesium

• RDA = 400mg.
• As important as calcium supplementation for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
• Regulates active calcium transport.
• Must be supplemented with calcium to optimize bone response.
• Magnesium intake may correlate with bone mineral density.
• Prevents fractures and significantly increases bone density in menopausal women.
• Co-factor in the enzyme that converts vitamin D to its active form.
• Influences mineralization of bone tissue by acting as a co-factor for alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme involved in the formation of bone crystals.
• Participates in the regulation of parathyroid hormone.
• Depletion contributes to bone fragility and osteopenia.
• Women with osteoporosis have lower bone magnesium than women who do not have osteoporosis.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

• Plant source of silica in which the silica is in the form of a water-soluble colloid.
• Acts as a botanical support for connective tissue.
• Strengthens connective tissue matrix by assisting in the appropriate cross-linking of collagen strands.
• Silicon is concentrated at calcification points of growing bone.
• Abnormalities in bone formation can be induced in animals by keeping them on a low- silicon diet.

Lysine

• Improves intestinal absorption of calcium and renal conservation of calcium, thereby improving calcium balance within the body.
• Lysine hydroxylation is a critical feature of the appropriate cross-linking of collagen, which allows for the mineralization of bone tissue.

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

• RDA = 400 IU (varying with age, gender, pregnancy, lactation).
• Essential nutrient for the prevention of fractures resulting from osteoporosis.
• Helps to prevent bone loss in elderly women.
• Stimulates calcium transport across intestinal mucosal cells by inducing the production of a calcium-binding protein within the cells.
• Stimulates the production of osteocalcin, the protein matrix of bone, by osteoblasts.
• Assists in the activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase and collagen synthesis.
• Influences the development of bone by altering chondrocyte differentiation.