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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