Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens Bones structures in the hip, spine, and wrist to breaking point, through progressive reduction of Bones tissue mass per unit volume and density to the pathological level/point of Bone deformation and fracture (or the demineralization of the bone tissue), primarily due to the loss of calcium that produces porous Bones caused by a decrease in Bones hardness and consistency.
Musculoskeletal System Diseases
1) Osteoporosis
2) Osteoarthritis
3) Rheumatoid Arthritis
4) Rickets (Osteomalacia)
5) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
6) Muscle Cramps
Causes of Osteoporosis
The exact cause of Osteoporosis is unknown, but the process by which the Bone becomes porous is understood.
• Certain conditions that impair the body’s ability to absorb Calcium (such as kidney disease, Cushing’s syndrome, and Hyperthyroidism).
• Surgical removal of part of The Stomach or intestine and intestinal difficulties in absorbing Calcium.
• Prolonged immobility due to paralysis (or illness) can cause Calcium loss.
• A diet deficient in Calcium, Vitamin D, and Phytoestrogens. Adequate Vitamin D is essential for optimal Calcium absorption.
• Loss of Bone mass is a natural process for adult beginning at the ages of 40 or 50, but diets plays a big role in its worsening.
• Menopause hormonal imbalances.
• Extended treatment (or use) of Steroids (cortisone), glucocorticoids, other Steroids, or anti-convulsant drugs.
• Lack of physical activity (or exercise).
• High meat consumption.
• Lack of Phosphorus.
Note:
Optimal Calcium Intake:
• Birth – 6 months (400 mg/day)
• 6-12 months (600 mg/day)
• 1-5 years (800 mg/day)
• 6-10 years (800 – 1,200 mg/day)
• 11-24 years (1,200 – 1,500 mg/day)
• Women 25-50 years (1,000 mg/day)
• Pregnant or Breastfeeding women (1,200 – 1,500 mg/day)
• Postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy (1,000 mg/day)
• Postmenopausal women not on estrogen therapy (1,500 mg/day)
• Men 25-65 years (1,000 mg/day)
• Women and men over 65 (1,500 mg/day)
Home Remedies for Osteoporosis
• Take in enough Calcium during childhood when the skeleton is developing.
• Reduce the intake of acidifying foods that aid in elimination of Calcium from the body or increase urinary Calcium loss. Such foods forces the body dissolve alkalizing Minerals like Calcium from the Bones to compensate for the loss. Excess Protein, salt, caffeine are acidifying and bad for the Bones whereas Fruits and Vegetables are potent.
• Soybean and its derivatives contain Phytoestrogens (Vegetable Hormones) that partially compensate for Calcium loss due to reduced ovarian production of Hormones in menopausal women.
• Sufficient sun exposure is necessary for Vitamin D synthesis in the Skin which essentially transfer Calcium from The Intestine to the blood.
• Sufficient physical exercise halts the loss of Bone mass and helps prevent Osteoporosis.
• Increase intake of Calcium, Vitamin D, Soybean, Almond, Tofu, Cabbage, sprouts, Blackstrap Molasses, Coconut, Alfalfa, Orange, leafy green Vegetables, Turnip, and Sesame seed.
• Decrease intake of meat, aged Cheese, salt, total fat, white sugar, Stimulant and Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, Phosphorus.
Herbal & Nutritional Treatments for Osteoporosis
• Herbs such as Horsetail, Oats straw and Nettle for the long-term treatment of Osteoporosis.
• Eat foods rich in Calcium.
• Eat foods that contain plant estrogens (especially Tofu and other Soybean products).
• Avoid foods that can interfere with absorption of Calcium (such as Red Meats, soft drinks, and excessive amounts of Alcohol and caffeine).
• Do weight-bearing exercises for 30-45 minutes at least three times a week.
• Avoid Smoking.
• Avoid antacids containing aluminum, as they can prevent Calcium absorption by binding with Phosphorus in The Intestine.
Good Food Sources of Calcium
• Low-fat dairy products (such as Cheese, Plain Yogurt, and Milk)
• Canned fish with edible bones (such as Salmon Fish and Sardines)
• Dark green leafy vegetables (such as Kale, Collards, and Broccoli)
• Calcium-fortified foods (such as bread made with Calcium-fortified flour and Calcium-fortified Orange Juice)
Prescription for Osteoporosis
• Chaste Tree (2 parts)
• Horsetail (1 part)
• Oats (1 part)
• Nettle (1 part)
Dosage: Upto 5 ml of tincture three times a day.
Internal Herbal Advice for Osteoporosis
• Alfalfa/Lucerne Plant Decoction.
• Horsetail Decoction.
• Parsley Decoction.
• Hemp Nettle Infusion – Prepare An Infusion With 20-30g Of dry Plant Per Litre of water and Use 1-2 Cups A Day.
• Slightly Cooked Broccoli.
• Slightly Cooked Kale.
• Slightly Cooked Cabbage.
• Slightly Cooked Cauliflower.
Herbal Advice for Weakening of the Bones
• The ground seeds of Fenugreek are successfully used for weakening of the bones, osteo-myelitis and bone growth.
• Internal Remedy: Three 1/2 cups of Yarrow tea is drunk 4 times a day and 1/2 a teaspoon of ground Fenugreek seeds is added in 2 of these 1/2 cups.
• External Remedy: Yarrow baths of 200gm herbs per bath should be taken for 20 minutes once a month. The Heart region should be outside the water. Yarrow extract is rubbed into the body.
Osteoporosis Remedies from Food
Almond Nuts
Apple
Arugula
Avocado
Barley Grass
Black Pepper
Blackstrap Molasses
Cabbage
Cactus Pears
Cashew Nuts
Cassava
Cloves
Coconut
Cowpea
Finger Millet
Raisins
Malabar Spinach
Miso
Natto
Onion
Oranges
Parsley
Peaches
Pearl Millet
Peas
Plain Yogurt
Plantain
Prunes
Pumpkin Seeds
Sauerkraut
Scallions
Soybean
Sugar Apple
Tamarind
Teff
Tempeh
Tofu
Wakame Seaweeds
Wheat Grass
• Almond Nuts – Almonds are Calcium-rich and a good source choice (If you avoid Dairy) to ensure you’re getting enough of this Bone-building mineral. Almond Butter is a great source of many Bone-building Minerals including: Calcium, Boron, Manganese, Magnesium, Zinc and Phosphorus.
• Apple – Apples are one of the richest Fruit dietary sources of Boron (a mineral that has real Bone-building properties and is an important part of an Osteoporosis prevention program).
• Arugula – Vitamin K has potential role in Bone Health by promoting osteotrophic (Bone formation and strengthening) activity.
• Avocado – A good source of Vitamin K (promote Bone Health in the Elderly), and Folate.
• Barley Grass – Barley Grass contains 11 times more Calcium than Milk, thus it can help you alleviate some of the symptoms of Osteoporosis, slow the process and keep your Bones in better condition. Barley Grass also provides us with Manganese, which is essential for Bone production.
• Black Pepper – Piperine (an important Phytochemical in Black Pepper) display beneficial, protective effects against inflammation and alveolar Bone loss, supported Bone microstructures, and prevented Collagen Fiber degradation.
• Blackstrap Molasses – Blackstrap Molasses contains an ideal Calcium-Magnesium ratio, whereby large quantities of Magnesium helps in large Calcium absorbption and both aid the growth and development of Bones. Blackstrap Molasses is a good safeguard against Osteoporosis and other Bone diseases as it has ideal Calcium-Magnesium ratio.
• Cabbage – Cabbage is beneficial for Osteoporosis and decalcification as it builds strong Bones due to significant Calcium content (approximately half of Milk).
• Cactus Pears – Vitamin C is an important component of various enzymatic and metabolic processes, including the creation of Bone and muscle tissue. Cactus Pears contain a significant level of Calcium (a very important element in the creation of Bone tissue in the body) in every serving. Helps prevent various dental issues and age-related Bone disorders like Osteoporosis.
• Cashew Nuts – Cashew nut’s levels of Copper and Magnesium may help protect Bone strength.
• Cassava – Cassava contains Calcium which is necessary for keeping strong Bones and teeth. Cassava leaves are a rich source of Vitamin K, Calcium, and Iron, all of which play important roles in the protection and development of Bones and has a potential role in Bone mass building by promoting osteotrophic activity in the Bones and preventing losing Minerals especially Calcium.
• Cloves – One tablespoon of Cloves contains the full amount of the recommended dietary intake of Manganese. Manganese is an important nutrient for Bone formation.
• Coconut – Coconut help prevent Bone decalcification (loss of Calcium). Inhibit Osteoporosis (demineralization and loss of Bone mass). Reduces Musculoskeletal System pain (from excess tension or lack of muscular relaxation) due to it remineralizing effect.
• Cowpea – cowpeas contains Calcium and Phosphorus which is a vital mineral to maintain the strength and structure of Bones. Manganese which is also found in cowpeas, assists in the formation of Bones by regulating the enzymes and Hormones which is involved in the process of Bone Metabolism. Phosphorus assists in the mineral density of Bones that inhibits Bone breakage, fractures and Osteoporosis. The Osteoporosis in women is helped with the presence of Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium, Copper and Boron in Cowpea. cowpeas contain Isoleucine which assist to raise the endurance and also fixes the tissue in the muscles. The Threonine in cowpeas produces the Serine and Glycine which is essential for the Collagen, muscle tissue and elastin production. It maintains the healthy and strong connective muscles and tissues. Magnesium can be found in high levels in cowpeas and contributes to better Bone Health.
• Finger Millet – Finger Millet is rich in Calcium which helps in strengthening Bones for all (especially for growing children and aging people). Isoleucine (an Amino Acids found in Finger Millet) helps in muscle repair, blood formation, contributes to Bone formation and improves Skin Health).
• Raisins – Boron appears to be a very important partner with Calcium Metabolism and plays an important role in the prevention of Osteoporosis.
• Malabar Spinach – Calcium and Magnesium help to develop healthy Bone. Calcium is required for the development of Bone while Magnesium assists in the better absorption of Calcium. Roots are also used as poultice to reduce local swellings.
• Miso – Soybean naturally contain Isoflavones which have Bone-building effects and help prevent Osteoporosis.
• Natto – Natto rich Probiotics content (Bacillus subtilis) is effective against Osteoporosis and hip fractures. Natto contains Vitamin K (a great for healthy Bones).
• Onion – Onions have Anti-Inflammatory properties beneficial to Bone Health. Help Fight the pain and swelling associated with Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Contain a naturally occurring chemical which has been found to promote Bone Health and reduce the risk of Osteoporosis. Help build strong Bones as it contain peptide (may help prevent Bone loss by inhibiting the loss of Calcium and other Bone Minerals) that inhibits the activity of osteoclasts (the cells that break down Bones).
• Oranges – Oranges contain Calcium (promote strong Bones and teeth) and citric acid which improves Calcium absorption in The Intestine. Vitamin C is an essential factor in the growth and maintenance of the Bones, teeth and cartillage.
• Parsley – Parsley provides high levels of Vitamin K (an essential nutrient for maintaining Bone density, Fighting Bone breaks and fractures).
• Peaches – Peaches contain phosphorous (combined with Calcium) which helps in strengthening Bones and teeth and helping in the maintenance and repair of bodily tissues. Consumption of foods rich in Phosphorus (such as Peaches) promotes re-mineralization of Bones and maintains their rigidity. Peaches aids in the prevention of various Bone diseases like decalcification (Osteoporosis precursor).
• Pearl Millet – Pearl Millet has a large amount of Phosphorus (a very essential for Bone growth and development).
• Peas – Garden Peas are also good in Vitamin K which aid in Bone mass building function (mineralization) through promotion of osteotrophic activity inside the Bone cells. B-complex Vitamins in Peas also help to prevent Osteoporosis.
• Plain Yogurt – Plain Yogurt provides more Calcium (Calcium in Plain Yogurt is especially well absorbed) than any other food. K2 (a special form of Vitamin K in Plain Yogurt) is particularly beneficial for Bone Health and is helpful for Osteoporosis.
• Plantain – Unripe Plantain is rich in Calcium which is the essential mineral needed for stronger Bones, muscles, nails and teeth. A healthy meal with unripe Plantain contains Magnesium which directly affects Calcium absorption, which helps prevent diseases such as Osteoporosis.
• Prunes – Prunes even have some potential as a treatment for Osteoporosis and prevent Bone mass loss in postmenopausal women who are prone to Osteoporosis.
• Pumpkin Seeds – Pumpkin Seeds protect against Osteoporosis and reduce inflammation for Arthritis.
• Sauerkraut – Sauerkraut has 150% of the Daily Value for the vitally important Bone-building nutrient Vitamin K.
• Scallions – Scallions are very rich in Vitamin K which has a potential role in Bone Health by promoting osteotrophic (Bone formation and strengthening) activity.
• Soybean – Soybean Proteins reduce the urinary loss of Calcium, increase mineralization and Bone density which is beneficial to Osteoporosis patients or prevent occurence. Soybean contain more Calcium than Milk per equal weight.
• Sugar Apple – Sugar Apple are excellent sources of Magnesium, like Calcium, Magnesium also strengthen your Bones and ward off Osteoporosis. Magnesium works by activating Vitamin D (a nutrient so vital because it promotes Calcium absorption by the Bones).
• Tamarind – Tamarind leaves are also beneficial against Fluorosis.
• Teff – Teff contains a wide range of Minerals and nutrients, including Calcium which is an essential mineral for Bone growth and development, and helps contribute to solid Bone mineral density and can benefit Osteoporosis patients. Calcium-rich foods like Teff Grain is critical for Bones solidification. Growing young adults need enough Calcium in order for the body is achieve its peak Bone mass.
• Tempeh – Tempeh provides Calcium and Copper which are involved in the growth and maintenance of Bones. Calcium helps form a part of hydroxyapatite (the mineral complex that makes Bones and teeth hard, maintains Bone density and helps Bones heal).
• Tofu – Tofu is a good source of Calcium, which is the key ingredient in Bone formation. Lack of Calcium in the body could lead to Osteoporosis, rapid aging due to brittle Bones, and poor formation of new Bones as well.
• Wakame Seaweeds – Calcium-rich foods (such as Wakame) help to increase Bone growth and speed up Bone repair, thus acting in the prevention of Osteoporosis.
• Wheat Grass – Chlorophyll is helpful in Fighting inflammation, which is associated with Joint Pain and may be the reason why Wheat Grass is effective in treating Arthritis (International Journal of pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, 2012).
Osteoporosis Remedies from Herbs
• Basil – Vitamin K in Basil plays a vital role in the Bone strengthening and mineralization.
• Mallow – For a foot Bone fracture, where the foot is repeatedly overburdened and swells up, Mallow baths are to be specially recommended and are greatly successful.
• Sage – Sage is a good source of Vitamin K which is a crucial element in developing Bone density and ensuring the integrity of our Bones as we age.
