Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis, how can we prevent and treat it?

Osteoporosis

Bones are composed of a network of proteins (especially collagen) impregnated with minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The body’s ability to absorb calcium and storing it in the bones depends on the presence of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin C produces collagen and zinc helps to build new bone cells. All of this “range” of nutrients is found in supplements “that helps to maintain bone health”. Osteoporosis affects about 200 million women worldwide. According to the experts, the risk of osteoporosis in women is higher than breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combinely. Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs predominantly in women, but men are not exempted either.

osteoporozaOsteoporosis is a bone disease that can be fatal, but not directly. Through its consequences and complications, it decreases the quality of life, especially in old age. Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass and density per unit volume. These changes weaken the bone and therefore may cause the risk of bone fractures.

Reduced bone mass occurs as a consequence of disturbance to the processes that influence the construction and maintenance of bone mass and which include: menopause, genetic factors, smoking, low calcium intake in the diet, lack of exercise, prolonged treatment with certain drugs such as corticosteroids, heparin, anti-epileptics and also include some endocrine, rheumatic and liver diseases.
The risk of osteoporosis increases with the age as bones naturally become thinner. After 30 years, there is a slight increase in the rate by which bone is dissolved and absorbed by the body, while the rate of bone reconstruction decreases. Around the age of 45 years, bone loss accelerates because there is a less production of estrogen in women and testosterone men. However, the effects of the disease begin to be felt around the age of 60 years. Women who have reached menopause are at higher risk of osteoporosis due to lower estrogen levels, which provides protection against bone loss.

Osteoporosis is asymptomatic unless is complicated by a fracture (compression of spinal cord or fist, hip, ribs, pelvis, humerus). The problems appear when a fracture occurs due to simply slipping on wet floor or ice which can lead to extremely complicated fractures including fractures of the spine, pelvis or hip. In the spinal cord, the compaction of vertebrae can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility,  which may have a major impact on quality of life of the affected person. In the case of hip fracture, the person suffers from great pain and remains immobilized, but existing a high risk of death from complications. Survivors confront with limited mobility capabilities, requiring permanent help for walking, chronic pain, decreased independence, a need of a dramatic change in lifestyle etc.

Once osteoporosis occurs in, the bone mass restoration is not possible. However, early intervention can prevent osteoporosis and the late interventions may halt disease progression. Osteoporosis has no obvious symptoms in the beginning, so, any individual at the risk of developing osteoporosis must be attentive to the smallest sign. Osteoporosis is a problem that requires the adoption of a balanced diet to help any individual predisposed to diminish the effects.
Among the preventive measures for osteoporosis include movement. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to fight osteoporosis. It is beneficial to reduce salt consumption and acidulated beverages which contain caffeine. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided because they prevent fracture healing and reduce capacity of the body for bone regeneration. Also, people prone to osteoporosis require sufficient intake of calcium, vitamin D, which can be obtained from the foods we consume in daily diet.
Also, herbs can help the people who want to recover or treat this condition naturally. Herbs containing minerals such as Horsetail, Nettle, Couch grass, knotweed, Basil seeds, etc can be used in the form of sublingual or in macerated form (cold processed). A natural source of calcium is sesame seeds which can be administered in powder form obtained by mildly grinding ripe seeds and mixing with salt or honey and lemon juice.

For women who are on the verge or having menopause are highly prone to osteoporosis. Company STAR INTERNATIONAL MED provides Ayurmed brand natural supplement KAMAIANY which is highly effective in alleviating unpleasant effects associated with menopause: irritability, depression, anxiety, hot flashes, night sweating. Herbs contained in KAMAIANY help alleviate the symptoms of osteoporosis and anemia represented by iron deficiency secondary to menopause. KAMAIANY is useful in case of ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids and reduces abundant menstrual periods. KAMAIANY is a general tonic and a natural aphrodisiac, strengthens female genitalia, keeping it in an optimal health and helps maintain the hormonal balance and mental calmness in women.

To correct menopausal estrogen deficiency, Ayurmed brand dietary supplement SHECURE tablets may be administered which is general tonic, with fortifying, mineralizing benefits sustaining acts on metabolism, nervous and endocrine system. It combines composition, herb ingredients and one of which is: Malus sylvestris (Crab apple) containing the element boron which helps maintain estrogen levels. Triticum vulgare (wheat) contains phytoestrogens, and minerals (Fe, Ca, Mg, P). Cissus quadrangularis contains vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium and anabolic steroids that support rapid regeneration of connective tissue involved in healing and mineralization of bone callus in fractures associated with osteoporosis. Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) contains phytoestrogens providing uterine antispasmodic effect and is an exceptional herb with female reproductive tonic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor benefits. Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) has a tonic effect on the nervous system, sustains mental functions due to its anti-anxiety and antidepressant benefits.
Overall, this natural dietary supplement is an excellent tonic for the female genitalia, helping women to maintain genital health. It is effective in maintaining hormonal balance, normalizes the menstrual cycle and alleviating pre-menstrual and menstrual pain. It is useful incase of postmenopausal osteoporosis maintaining proper bodyweight during this period, providing adjuvant benefits in case of urogenital infections (associated with urethritis, cystitis, leucorrhea), having anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, promotes the body’s ability to adapt to stress and overstress thereby, alleviating anxiety and depression.