Download Osteoporosis and bone health

Central West Naturopathic
PH: 02 6342 3887
104 Kendal St. Cowra 2794
24 Spring Street Forbes 2871
email: [email protected]
www.centralwestnaturopathic.com.au
_____________________________________________________________________
Osteoporosis and bone health
Bone is a combination of several minerals, especially phosphate and carbonate of
lime. Osteoporosis literally means porous bone. The bone shaft is like a hard tube
with an outer membrane enclosing a fatty substance (marrow). The marrow is
essential for red blood cell development. Blood flows through bones in special
canals which run along the shaft. Bone cells are arranged around the canals in
circular plates in which single bone cells are placed in clefts in the plates.
There are 3 types of osteoporosis
Primary osteoporosis - Type 1 -– here a person will have overactive thyroid
and adrenal glands (fast metabolism). The body loses its ability to absorb calcium
and magnesium, and increases retention of phosphate. In this process cells
(osteoblasts) responsible for hard bone development become inactive which thins
the outer layer of bone.
Primary osteoporosis - Type 2 -– here the person has low thyroid function
(slow metabolism) which increases calcium absorption and retention, with
decrease in phosphorus absorption and retention. This activity causes an increase
in cells (osteoclasts) which break bone down.
In primary osteoporosis calcium can’t be placed in the bones due to either low
osteoblast or high osteoclast activity, so the calcium is deposited in soft tissues,
resulting in gallstones, kidney stones, dry skin, allergic stimulation, and joint
stiffness.
Type 3 is Secondary osteoporosis, due to drugs such as cortisone and
prednisolone or certain diseases. In older people osteoporosis can be caused by
dietary mineral deficiency and demineralization of bone. High grain diets, rich in
phytic acid, and foods high in oxalic acid (such as potato, turnip and spinach )
bind calcium in the intestine, preventing its absorption.
Another route to osteoporosis is by the inhibition of cholesterol. If available
cholesterol is reduced, there is a reduction in the production of adrenal hormones
necessary for calcium management. Lower cholesterol too much and calcium
placement suffers.
Vegetarians with incomplete diets are especially prone to calcium deficiency, and
low vegetable intake in non selective diets is equally contributory to calcium
deficiency. The body reabsorbs calcium from the bone to enable other calcium
functions such as muscle contraction and nerve conduction. As well as inadequate
absorption resulting in resorption, other causes of demineralization of bone
includes prolonged bed rest, sedentary lifestyles and insufficient weight bearing
exercise or activity.
Foods that strengthen bone include beetroot, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potato
and mushroom. Banana and pineapple are helpful fruits.
Calcium is a sedative mineral. Calcium and viruses both suppress energy
function, so the thyroid is slowed. With lowered thyroid there is an initial increase
_____________________________________________________________________
Author: Stephen Tamplin, RN, ND, DAc
1
Central West Naturopathic
PH: 02 6342 3887
104 Kendal St. Cowra 2794
24 Spring Street Forbes 2871
email: [email protected]
www.centralwestnaturopathic.com.au
_____________________________________________________________________
in adrenal function, and an increase in osteoclasts which break bone down. These
spaces of de-mineralised bone are then filled by a type of fat cell, an adipocyte. A
2006 study reported in ‘National Clinical Practice, Rheumatology’ showed that
with ageing the composition of bone marrow shifts to favour the presence of
adipocytes. These adipocytes share the same starter cell as the adipocytes which
cause abdominal obesity, suggesting low bone mass is due to fatty infiltration of
the marrow. This fatty infiltration leads some authors to define osteoporosis as
bone obesity, with loss of bone flexibility. Excessive calcium supplementation may
actually cause osteoporosis !
Osteomalacia is another common condition which affects bone density. Bones
become soft as a result of absorbing the lime salts they contain, caused by
deficiency of Vitamin D in the diet. As people age the skin does not create
adequate vitamin D from sunshine, especially if that person is taking cholesterol
lowering medication. Bowing of the legs, and displacement of the pelvic/hip joints
is a consequence of osteomalacia.
The next article will discuss calcium and osteoporosis in type 2 diabetes.
_____________________________________________________________________
Author: Stephen Tamplin, RN, ND, DAc
2