Alternative Therapies for OsteoporosisPeople nowadays seek alternative therapies for osteoporosis on a regular basis. One of the primary reasons for this is because the drug therapies typically prescribed by physicians are accompanied by numerous side effects, while osteoporosis natural treatments are much safer, and may even boost one's overall health.
On the other hand, in some cases, osteoporosis natural treatments can be used in conjunction with drug therapy. Below, you will find some of the alternative therapies for osteoporosis. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Remember, though, that you should never begin a new plan without first consulting your trusted health care professional.
Lifestyle
If you smoke, you know you need to kick the habit. Nicotine and other toxins in cigarette smoke deplete the body’s stores of numerous vitamins and nutrients necessary for strong bones.
Many prescription medications, corticosteroids for instance, lead to additional loss of bone mass. If you are unsure, you can look up the side effects of any drugs that you are currently taking online or you can ask your pharmacist for the package insert.
Look at the rare side effects as well as the common ones. If you are currently taking a medicine that has been linked to osteoporosis or loss of bone density, talk to your health professional about alternatives.
Exercise is one of the most often overlooked osteoporosis natural treatments. Some people mistakenly believe that weight bearing exercises will lead to further bone loss. It was a common, if erroneous, belief among previous generations that reducing physical activity was necessary to protect the health of older people.
While taking up weight lifting might not be recommended for everyone, regular walking at a moderate pace will improve strength and balance. A woman that exercises will retain more bone mass throughout her life than one who is sedentary.
Food as Alternative Therapies for Osteoporosis
The primary culprits leading to osteoporosis are deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D. Calcium is not readily absorbed through the intestinal wall, no matter how healthy the diet. There are foods that interfere with the absorption process and, as such, should not be consumed along with calcium-rich foods.
Vitamin D can only be manufactured in the body if there is adequate exposure to the sun. But don't overdo it; 15 minutes twice a week without sunscreen is sufficient. There are also foods and other dietary components that increase the loss of calcium through urination.
Taking all of these dietary factors into consideration can lead to an effective osteoporosis natural treatment plan. Here’s what you should eat regularly and what you should avoid.
Start incorporating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans and yogurt into your diet. Contrary to popular belief, milk and dairy products are not the best sources of absorbable calcium, and should not be viewed as complementary or alternative therapies for osteoporosis. Leafy greens, bok choy, parsley, mustard greens and escarole are excellent sources of absorbable calcium and should be increased.
Then there are certain food combinations that should be avoided. Phytic acid in wheat and oats will bind with calcium and prevent its absorption, so no more cereal with milk. Oxalates found in spinach, chard, beet greens and chocolate also bind with the mineral, making it unusable. So, cheese sprinkled on your spinach salad will not improve your calcium intake. These are only a few examples. There may be thousands of combinations to be avoided.
Additional dietary recommendations for osteoporosis natural treatments include the following: avoid coffee, alcohol, refined sugar, excessive table salt, soft drinks and Tums™. Despite the advertising hype, Tums™ decreases stomach acid, which is needed for calcium absorption. So, while Tums may contain calcium, it mostly passes through your body unused and is excreted in the urine.
Supplements and Botanicals
Some alternative therapies for osteoporosis may include dietary supplements and herbal preparations. The idea behind the use of any of them is to increase your body’s natural bone making ability. Calcium is important, but calcium supplements alone will not increase bone density.
When used as osteoporosis natural treatments, the quality of the herbs and supplements will largely determine their efficacy. For example, if calcium is not supplied in a bio-available form, it will not be utilized by the body, merely excreted.
A good fish oil supplement will increase calcium absorption, reduce loss and increase deposits in the bone, while improving strength and joint flexibility. But, some products are subpar and even the good ones are not right for everyone.
Only someone familiar with your medical history and that of your family can help you establish a complete treatment plan that may or may not include some of the alternative therapies for osteoporosis mentioned here. Contact your health care professional for additional advice. My name is Dr. Rami and I am a Naturopathic Doctor who practices in East Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Should you be interested in a natural approach to preventing or reversing osteoporosis, please feel free to contact me via the form below and I will get back with you ASAP. Much more than alternative therapies for osteoporosis back at the Home Page |