Osteoporosis

Conventional physicians, for the most part, regard the bone loss that characterizes osteoporosis to be a natural and inevitable consequence of growing older. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although a certain degree of bone loss does occur to everyone as they age, in non-Western cultures which continue to follow their native diets, osteoporosis, like most other chronic degenerative diseases so common here in the West, is virtually non-existent. Only in highly industrialized nations is it commonplace.

That being so, it is clear that osteoporosis is first and foremost a product of our modern day lifestyle and the various factors that comprise it. What follows are the most common causes of or contributing factors for osteoporosis.

Conventional Drugs: A variety of common, conventional drugs can cause or contribute to osteoporosis. Antibiotics, for example, can disrupt your body`s supply of healthy intestinal bacteria, which act as a source of vitamin K, a necessary nutrient for healthy bone formation and regeneration. Other drugs, such as steroids, including prednisone, actually inhibit the formation of new bone tissue, as well as inhibiting your body`s ability to absorb calcium, another essential nutrient for healthy bones. Additional drugs that can cause or exacerbate osteoporosis include antacids that contain aluminium, anticonvulsant and anti-seizure medications, blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, and antidepressant medications such as lithium. Potentially, however, any drug can worsen osteoporosis symptoms.

Diet: Poor diet is a major cause of osteoporosis, especially in the United States. The standard American diet, appropriately referred to by the anagram SAD, which relies heavily on commercially processed foods, is both high caloric and yet extremely deficient in necessary nutrients. Such a diet also creates a highly acidic effect in the body, causing the body to deplete itself of calcium and potassium stores in order to buffer and protect against acid build-up. This, in turn, causes a need to eat higher amounts of protein-rich foods, which creates further acidity and greater calcium loss, all of which stimulates bone loss and osteoporosis.

Other common aspects of the SAD diet are the high sugar, salt, and white flour it contains, causing the loss of calcium, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals, such as boron, folic acid, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, and silica, that are each vital for healthy bones. Alcohol, caffeine, and soda are other major dietary contributors to osteoporosis. In fact, research shows those that consume three or more cups of coffee per day have an 82 per cent higher risk of osteoporosis, while as little as one drink of alcohol per day can also significantly cause bone loss.

Further compounding the problem is the fact that non-organic, commercially processed and prepared foods are very low in vital nutrients essential for healthy bones, as well as good health in general.

Environmental Toxins: Heavy metals in our air and water supplies also contribute to bone loss, especially heavy metals such as aluminum, cadmium, lead, and tin. These types of toxins raise acidity levels, causing the body`s storehouse of minerals such as calcium and potassium to be depleted, weakening bones in the process. Chlorine and fluoride in our water supplies can have the same effect. Ironically, fluoride was once considered an effective treatment for osteoporosis, but research now shows that fluoride, even in small amounts, can greatly increase the risk of bone fracture and also cause bone abnormalities and weakness.

Hormone Imbalances: Conventional physicians typically regard osteoporosis as a condition caused by diminished oestrogen supplies in the body because of menopause. If that were the case, every woman would develop osteoporosis after undergoing menopause, but as mentioned above, osteoporosis is virtually non-existent in cultures around the world that do not eat a Western diet. In addition, women who follow a near or complete vegetarian diet typically have lower oestrogen levels than women who eat meat, yet have greater bone density and less risk of osteoporosis.

Holistic health practitioners recognize that it is not reduced oestrogen levels that cause osteoporosis, but reduced progesterone levels. Progesterone is essential for healthy menstruation and also plays an important role in stimulating the creation of new bone tissue. Progesterone levels start to decline shortly before menopause begins, and researchers have shown a direct correlation between reduced progesterone and accelerated bone loss. Once menopause occurs, the corresponding drop in oestrogen levels hastens the depletion of bone mass, as well.

While conventional physicians typically use synthetic oestrogen replacement to combat this problem, they ignore the loss of progesterone, which is far more important because, although oestrogen helps to prevent bones loss, it is progesterone that helps to build new bone and sustain overall bone health. Moreover, synthetic oestrogen treatments can cause a variety of negative side effects.

Note: One possible sign of hormone imbalance is vaginal bleeding. If you experience this symptom, consult with your physician or gynaecologist immediately.

Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is a medical procedure that removes the uterus and, sometimes, a woman`s ovaries. Even when the ovaries are not removed, however, up to 57 per cent of all women who have a hysterectomy experience diminished ovarian function, which can lead to the rapid bone loss that is characteristic of osteoporosis. Compounding this problem is the fact that 90 per cent of all hysterectomies performed in the United States are unnecessary.

Lack of Exercise: In order for the body to properly continue producing new bone tissue, regular exercise, especially exercise that stimulates the bones, is essential. Such forms of exercise include weight training, brisk walking, and running. In addition to helping promote new bone growth, regular exercise also enhances blood flow to the bones, supplying them with oxygen and essential nutrients that can protect against bone loss. People who do not engage in regular exercise or other forms of physical activity have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

Low Body Fat: A lack of body fat due to excessive exercise and/or weight loss diminishes the body`s ability to adequately produce progesterone and oestrogen, hormones that are necessary to produce new bone tissues and protect against bone loss, thus setting the stage for osteoporosis to occur.

Smoking and Exposure to Second-hand Smoke: Smoking cigarettes and regular exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke can cause or exacerbate osteoporosis symptoms because of how the ingredients in cigarette smoke interfere with the body`s production of oestrogen. Cigarette smoke also diminishes the ability of oestrogen to properly interact with bone cells known as osteoclasts, which help to prevent and heal bone fractures. In addition, cigarette smoke increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, causing the body to release its calcium stores, further increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Other Risk Factors: Other risk factors for osteoporosis include absent or irregular menstruation, being short in height and/or having a small bone structure, celiac disease (sensitivity to gluten), early menopause, gastrointestinal disorders (bloating, flatulence, and/or indigestion), genetic predisposition, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, kidney and liver disease, and lack of regular exposure to sunlight. Women of Asian or Caucasian descent, as well as women with blonde, red, or prematurely graying hair, also have a higher than normal risk of developing osteoporosis, as do women with freckles and women who have never had children.

Preventing Osteoporosis
The primary preventive measures you can take to greatly reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis is to follow the dietary and nutritional guidelines outlined below, to have your hormone levels (especially oestrogen and progesterone) monitored as part of an annual physical check-up, and to make necessary lifestyle changes. These include: eliminating or minimizing your alcohol intake to no more than one glass of red wine per day, avoiding aluminium and aluminium products such as aluminium cookware and commercial antacids and antiperspirants, getting enough sunshine each and every day, and regular exercise.