4 Things about Fighting Osteoporosis You Probably Didn’t Know That Will Improve Your Life

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which your bones become brittle or fragile. I read an article today in Medical News Today that discussed environmental factors that may increase the risk of osteoporosis. I am amazed that the underlying chemical processes that result in calcium going into the bone are not more widely known.

My research centers on cause and effect analysis. What causes things to happen. I believe that many people have osteoporosis because they don’t know what to do to reduce bone loss. Many articles state that risk factors for developing osteoporosis are advanced age, heredity, low estrogen levels, low calcium levels, low vitamin D levels, heavy use of alcohol, smoking, and an inactive lifestyle. The four things you must have (at a minimum) are calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2.

What is the chemical process to get calcium from food to your bones? The first thing you need is a good source of calcium. Food is always better than pills. Most calcium supplements are calcium carbonate. The absorption rate of calcium carbonate is inadequate and must be taken with food. Calcium citrate is more easily absorbed. Forty percent of Americans are not getting the daily recommended levels of calcium.

If you are taking a calcium carbonate supplement without a meal, the calcium ends up in the toilet and not in your bones. Magnesium is another nutrient that the majority of Americans are not getting the daily recommended levels. Calcium is absorbed more readily when magnesium levels are high. Calcium also ends up in the toilet if you are deficient in magnesium.

Assuming you are getting the right kind of calcium and your magnesium levels are adequate, then calcium will enter your bloodstream if your vitamin D3 levels are normal. If not, then the calcium ends up in the toilet. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin D3.

Vitamin K2 is the next hurdle to get the calcium to your bones. Again, most Americans are deficient in vitamin K2. A deficiency in vitamin K2 will allow calcium to enter your heart valves, veins, and arteries. Today’s Dietician has documented the process by which vitamin K2 helps calcium enter the bone and removes calcium from soft tissue.

Vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin from your bone’s osteoblasts. The osteoblasts then absorb the calcium into your bone matrix. MGP (matrix gla protein) is responsible for removing excess calcium that accumulates in soft tissue in your body. Vitamin K2 triggers the production of MGP. Atherosclerotic plaques in your veins and arteries contain calcium.

Studies in Japan with increased dietary vitamin K2 consumption from natto (seaweed) resulted in fewer bone fractures in elderly patients. High doses of vitamin K2 supplements are an approved treatment for osteoporosis in Japan.

Calcium supplementation in the United States is recommended for postmenopausal women to prevent osteoporosis. Studies have shown that calcium, even with vitamin D3, do not prevent hip fractures in the elderly. Some studies show an increase in high fractures. Calcium and vitamin D3 without vitamin K2 also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Early stages of osteoporosis have no symptoms. Loss of height over time, a stopped posture, and back pain caused by collapsed vertebra might be early signs of a weakened bone system.

The incorporation of calcium into your bones is disrupted by corticosteroid medications (prednisone, cortisone). Prescription medicines used to treat seizures, gastric reflux, cancer, and transplant rejection also interfere with calcium deposition into your bone matrix. People with celiac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and more are at higher risk of osteoporosis.

Lifestyle habits can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises (walking, dancing, weightlifting, etc.), smoking cessation, and moderation in alcohol reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

You need absorbable calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 to get calcium into your bones. This is the minimum. Boron, protein, phosphorus, potassium, and fluoride are also needed. Always talk to your physician if you are taking any medications for osteoporosis before making any changes to your medical regimen.