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Acai BerriesAnti AgingAnti Inflamin SuperAnti StressDouble Dose Anti-Inflamin SuperDouble Dose FemivitalDouble Dose GrapavinExtra Strength Omega-3Extra Strength Vitamins for MenExtra Strength Vitamins for WomeFemivitalGrapavinGrapavitaMetabolism+Mineral ChildrenMineral MenMineral WomenOsteoPro-D Phyto-Synergy + Extra QuercetinQ10 100mgQ10 30mgSuper ChlorellaVitamin C ExtraVitamin ChildrenVitamin D ExtraVitamin E ExtraWhat is Osteoporosis?
About three million people in the UK have osteoporosis, a condition characterised by the progressive thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density. When bones become thin and brittle, the risk of fractures is greatly increased. So much so that osteoporosis is responsible for a broken bone in one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50.
How Does Osteoporosis Develop?
Osteoporosis does not develop overnight; it develops slowly over many years. To understand how osteoporosis progresses, it helps to understand how our bones are structured. Our bones are made up of an outer shell (cortical bone) in which a web of collagen, minerals (e.g. calcium), blood vessels and bone marrow called trabecular bone is contained. Trabecular bone normally has small, thick spaces in between, but in a person with osteoporosis, these spaces are bigger, which makes the bones less elastic and more vulnerable to fractures.
Throughout our lives, bone is constantly changing in a process called bone remodelling. During this process, old, damaged bone is broken down and removed by specialised cells called osteoclasts. In parallel, new bone is formed by cells called osteoblasts. During childhood and teenage years, new bone formation is faster than old bone being broken down, which results in increased bone density and strength. During your 20s this rate evens out; however, after the age of 35 and due to the natural process of aging, bone deterioration slowly begins to exceed bone formation. Bone loss rises sharply with declining oestrogen levels experienced during menopause.
What are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
Because osteoporosis develops slowly over time, symptoms in the first stages are not common. But when bones are significantly weak and brittle, fractures may occur and joint pain or pain where bone loss is more pronounced may be felt. In some cases, people may find it difficult to stand or sit up straight and may have a ben over posture. While osteoporosis can affect bones in any part of the body, the wrists, hips and spine are more vulnerable.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Loss of bone density is an inevitable part of aging, but the rate at which bone density is lost and bones weaken differs among people. There are many factors that increase your risk of developing osteoporosis (see below); however, researchers believe the amount of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium, silicon and other vitamins and minerals contained in your bones play a large role. Not getting enough regular exercise throughout one's life also weakens bones and predisposes a person to osteoporosis. Other risk factors include:
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Age: women are twice as likely to suffer from osteoporosis as men. Part of the reason for this is that the decline in oestrogen during menopause greatly accelerates bone density loss.
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Genes: osteoporosis appears to be hereditary.
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Body weight: being very thin of having a BMI (body mass index) less than 19 places you at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
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Heavy drinking and smoking: weakens bones.
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Depression: serious depression increases the rate of bone density loss.
- Excessive exercise: lowers hormone levels, which in turn lowers bone density.
- Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
- Low levels of oestrogen: either because of early menopause (before the age of 45) or having a hysterectomy before the age of 45 (especially if ovaries are also removed).
- Low testosterone: in men, low testosterone levels e.g. after cancer surgery, can lower bone density.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Parathyroid disease
- Diabetes
- Diseases that affect food absorption e.g. Crohn's or coeliac disease.
- Being sedentary for long periods of time.
- Corticosteroid medications
- Anti-epileptic medications
- Long-term use of blood thinners e.g. heparin or warfarin
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - antidepressants.
- Breast cancer treatments e.g. aromatase inhibitors.
- Prostate cancer medications that affect testosterone levels.
- Some diuretics.
- Aluminium containing antacids.
How is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?
Although a CT scan and ultrasound can diagnose osteoporosis, the best diagnostic tool is a DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan, which accurately measures bone density. The DEXA scan will give you a number (T score), which is compared to a normal range. A T score between o and 1 is in the normal range (no osteoporosis). A T score between -1 and -2.5 means you have osteopenia - a bone mineral density that is lower than normal, but that does not necessarily mean you will develop osteoporosis. If your T score is below -2.5, you will be diagnosed with osteoporosis.What are the Treatments for Osteoporosis?
There are various conventional osteoporosis treatments including:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT was once often given to women going through menopause both to relieve symptoms and to maintain bone mineral density. Nowadays, however, more and more women are reluctant to take HRT given its side effects such as increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.
- Bisphosphonates: These non-hormonal medications e.g. Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel and Evista are most commonly prescribed to maintain bone mineral density and reduce the risk of fractures. However, they come with side effects, some of which are very severe including: osteonecrosis of the jaw (rotting jaw bone); increased risk of thigh bone fractures; inflammation of the oesophagus; gastric ulcers; serious eye problems; flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle/joint pain, headache); hot flushes; blood clots; nausea; skin rash; dizziness; mood disturbances; irregular heartbeat; and gallbladder disease.
Natural Alternatives for Osteoporosis
- Nutritional supplements: Although many factors increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, insufficient intake of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients is a major contributor. That is because our bones are made up of these vital nutrients to keep them strong and flexible. Several scientific studies have proven that certain nutrients like calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, magnesium, silicon, boron and zinc are able to significantly increase bone mass and maintain it without any negative side effects. For more information on osteoporosis nutrition and prevention click here