Worldwide, an osteoporotic fracture is estimated to occur every 3 seconds, and a vertebral fracture every 22 seconds with as many as 200 million women worldwide being affected.

Known as ‘the silent killer’ it can even lead to death, so don’t underestimate the importance of prevention where possible and don’t wait until you break a bone – particularly if there is any family history of the condition.

Research indicates that approximately one in two postmenopausal women will have osteoporosis, and most will suffer a fracture during their lifetime.

If you have a family history of osteoporosis then taking preventive measures makes good sense.

What causes it?

Our bones continue to change throughout our lives so that old, worn out bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts and replaced by bone building cells called osteoblasts.

Oestrogen is the hormone that breaks down old bone and progesterone the hormone that builds new bone, so you need good balance between the two.

Building up new bone is important because old bone becomes brittle and more prone to fracture. It then looks like open lace, like the image at the top of this article, and unfortunately there are no ‘warning signs’ and a bone scan – or too frequent broken bones – are the only way to diagnose it.

What can you do?

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis then you are likely to be prescribed  HRT or bisphosphonate drugs. The latter do have some serious drawbacks in terms of their usage as it’s recommended you shouldn’t eat anything or drink anything other than tap water, or take any other medication or supplements for at least 30 minutes afterwards and you’ll need to stay upright for up to an hour afterwards to prevent the medication flowing back from your stomach and causing heartburn and shouldn’t lie down until after you’ve eaten.

The best treatment in my opinion is with bioidentical progesterone as that is the hormone needed to build new bone and what bioidentical doctors worldwide would suggest.

Nutrition can help if you eliminate the items that adversely affect your bones. These are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, foods with transfats, raw spinach, red meat and salty foods.

Sugar is best reduced or cut down as too much may hurt your bone health. It causes your body to flush out bone-strengthening calcium and magnesium in your urine and prevents your intestines from taking in enough calcium.

Calcium is needed as if your calcium levels are too low, your body takes it from your bones but it’s best from your diet. Good sources include dairy, yoghurt, cheese, almonds and fortified plant-based milks, tofu, baked beans, tinned sardines and tinned salmon with bones.

Alcohol makes your bones easier to break by interfering with bone-growth cells called osteoblasts. Heavy drinking is categorised as eight drinks or more for women.

Smoking has no good points as it is a known risk factor for osteoporosis as nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco slow the production of bone-forming cells.

It may also hinder blood flow to your bones and the result is frail bones that are more apt to break. That can be a concern especially in your spine, which already doesn’t get much blood.

Supplements can certainly help but most doctors will suggest calcium in high doses and vitamin D as the nutrients needed.

On their own they will not build up new bone and the excess calcium can cause hardening of arteries, joint and kidney problems.

Vitamin D is essential as without it you can’t absorb the calcium from foods. That forces your body to raid your skeleton for the nutrient.

It works in tandem with calcium. and without it  you can’t absorb the calcium from foods. That forces your body to raid your skeleton for the nutrient. Best sources are sunlight, fatty fish, milk, almonds, soy, oats, eggs and fortified cereal.

Magnesium is important because research shows that people with higher intakes of magnesium have a higher bone mineral density.

Among the other nutrients needed are vitamin K2, silica and boron. The best way to obtain these nutrients is in a well balanced bone supplement.

Exercise because when you exercise regularly, your body responds by adding more bone. Exercise also builds muscles, which help improve your balance and coordination, o you may be less likely to have a fall.

Weight bearing is best such as running, walking, dancing and stair climbing. You can also add in some resistance or strength training as that helps your bones grow  heavier and denser.  You get that from 30 minutes of a combination of  pushups, free weights, rowing or resistance bands.

Helpful information

Strong bones means you are lessening your risk for osteoporosis, staying more mobile and active and those all mean a healthier older age.

The role of progesterone is well established to help build strong bones and in the view of an expert bioidentical doctor it is an essential part of any bone building programme.

https://anna.blog.wellsprings-health.com/osteoporosis-a-doctors-view/