How can I strengthen my bones to prevent osteoporosis? This is a question that should be on the minds of anyone over the age of 50, especially women. Over 25 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, leading to 1.3 million fractures per year. 80% percent of them are women.
In fact, the United States has the highest rate of osteoporosis in the world. Approximately one quarter of men and half of women over 50 years of age will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. What's going on? Is it possible that our perspective on bone health is skewed?
I think yes.If you look at some of the world’s largest and strongest animals, like elephants, rhinos, and giraffes, they’re all vegetarians. Despite their massive size, these animals have incredibly strong bones. The secret?
To build and maintain strong bones, it’s essential to consume a variety of nutrients, not just isolated calcium, and these nutrients are actually abundant in plant-based foods.
The common belief that drinking milk alone will prevent osteoporosis is flawed because the calcium in milk isn’t always absorbed effectively. In fact, sometimes calcium that isnt absorbed can build up in various places in the body causing inflammation and pain. These are called calcium deposits.
Most of the calcium supplements on the market aren't the best choice either, as the calcium is not the right type of calcium and it isn't easily absorbed.
Instead, we need to focus on a diet rich in key mineral and nutrients that to keep our bones strong.
Overlooked Minerals For Bone Health:
The #1 Overlooked Mineral for Bone Health is BORON
1) Boron- For women especially dietary Boron is so important. Boron boosts estrogen levels in the blood. The hormone Estrogen actually prevents calcium loss and bone demineralization. Estrogen decreases sharply when women reach menopause , which can cause bone loss. This is why the chance of developing osteoporosis increases as women reach menopause.
The average American only gets half of the required Boron from their diets. According to Dr Forrest Nielson from the USDA Human Research Center this might be the real reason behind high osteoporosis rates.
Dr Nielson discovered that postmenopausal women who consumed just 3 milligrams of boron per day slashed calcium loss by 40%! 3 mg per day is fairly easy to achieve.
Food sources of Boron: fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, and peaches (opt for local if possible and organic), almonds & hazelnuts (don't overdo the nuts- just a few per day is enough- too much and you risk upsetting your digestive system)
2) Manganese- Dr Jeanne Freedman-Graves discovered that animals deficient in manganese developed severe osteoporosis. In one study she learned that women with osteoporosis had one-third less manganese in their blood than women without osteoporosis. Foods rich in manganese: fresh Pineapple and pineapple juice. Other good sources include whole wheat bread (choose ancient grain breads click here to find out more about Einkorn Bread), spinach and tea (opt for green tea- as just 1 cup provides 20% of the daily required manganese! so 3 cups per day will provide 60%).
3) Calcium- BUT WHICH TYPE? Of course we need calcium for strong bones. But the calcium in milk isn't always absorbed properly, leading to calcium deposits and inflammation. And many of the calcium supplements contain calcium that isnt readily absorbed. Plus other minerals are required to help the body absorb calcium.
One of the most amazing sources of natural calcium (not synthetic) is coral calcium. Coral Calcium is harvested from fossilized coral reefs, primarily from the Okinawa Islands in Japan, known for the longevity of its people. Unlike synthetic calcium, Coral Calcium is highly bioavailable. This means the body can easily absorb it, which results in better effectiveness compared to regular calcium supplements. And it has the magic 2:1 ration of calcium to magnesium.
The exceptional health and longevity of people living on the Japanese Islands of Okinawa, where drinking water is rich in calcium derived from the surrounding coral reefs has led many people to turn to Coral Calcium as a premium source of calcium.
Low pH levels in the body are disease culprits, and coral calcium can raise pH, thus preventing many diseases that are so prevalent in our culture.
Coral Calcium contains not only calcium but also a wide range of essential trace minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and other important elements that work synergistically to enhance the body’s ability to utilize calcium, promoting better absorption and utilization.
The calcium and magnesium in Coral Calcium can help regulate blood pressure and maintain healthy cardiovascular function. Maintaining a balance of these minerals is essential for a healthy heart and circulatory system.
Our Bone Fuel Coral Calcium is made from 100% Authentic Coral Calcium from coral sand deposits in Okinawa Japan. Most Coral Calcium is fake, derived from shellfish bones in Hokkaido to reduce the price. Ours is 100% Coral Calcium, no binders no fillers.
Coral Calcium is a super absorbable natural supplement to treat low calcium levels in the blood, and for bone and joint repair. Also helps relieve sore muscles and joints.
Coral Calcium’s composition is similar to that of human bone and has been used as bone graft material for over 30 years.
To learn more about our Coral Calcium click here
Sea Moss- Superfood to Prevent Osteoporosis
Sea Moss, or Chondrus crispus contains a good amount of calcium, magnesium and potassium , which are essential for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Plus unlike leafy greens, Sea moss does not contain oxalates, making its calcium potentially more bioavailable.
If we don't get sufficient calcium from our diets, our bodies will utilize the calcium stored in our bones. Getting enough calcium is essential for achieving peak bone mass during growth and helping to maintain bone density as we get older.
Adding Sea Moss to your daily smoothie or 1-2 tablespoons on its own will go a long way towards reaching your daily mineral needs. Opt for Purple Sea Moss as it is much more mineral dense than gold sea moss.
Foods to Avoid if you want to prevent bone loss
1) Excessive Coffee- 1 cup of coffee per day is fine but 2 or more cups per day can result in calcium loss as the body tries to adjust pH in response to the coffee. A study of 3000 older men and women in the Framingham Heart Study showed that 2 or more cups of coffee per day boosted the chance of breaking a hip by 50%!
2) Sugar- sugar is incredibly acidic which necessitates the removal of calcium from bones to stabilize body pH. Sugar consumption has the potential to increase the risk of osteoporosis by: a) increasing the urinary excretion of both calcium and magnesium, b) reducing the intestinal absorption of calcium by lowering the levels of active vitamin D, and c) impairing bone formation by reducing osteoblast proliferation as well as lactic acid production.
3) Alcohol- Alcoholics have bones that look like people 40 years older. No more than 1 drink per day at maximum.
4) Sodas - sodas especially Colas, in particular, contain phosphoric acid, which can interfere with calcium absorption and contribute to calcium loss Studies have shown that soft drinks have adverse effects on bone mineral density.