Can osteoporosis be helped with proper nutrition, or are drugs my only choice?

We have been relying on the theory that if we can prevent the rate of bone turnover and keep calcium available for absorption, then osteoporosis can be avoided. However, maintaining healthy bone is not that simple. If it were, then populations that consumed the most amount of dairy and calcium supplements would have lower rates of osteoporotic fractures. This has not been demonstrated. Countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Western European countries that consume the most dairy and calcium supplements have the highest rates of hip fractures.

Nutrition is an important modifiable factor in the development and maintenance of bone mass and prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Calcium and Phosphorus are important to bone health and protein must be incorporated into the matrix of the bone for collagen structures upon which mineralization occurs. There are also other minerals that are crucial in carrying out the reactions and metabolic processes in the bone.

Bone marrow is also a reservoir for minerals that the body needs to regulate electrolytes. The source for the electrolytes is from ingested food, but if the electrolytes are not available when needed, then the body will retrieve the needed electrolytes such as calcium and phosphates from the bone directly. The N.Y.T and the N.E.J.M on 3/24/2010 reported that orthopedists observed that people who take drugs for osteoporosis are showing up with rare and serious fractures of their thigh bones. The decision of which route to take is yours. If you choose the safer nutrition route, I would recommend that you find a chiropractor who is also trained in Nutrition Response Testing and begin your journey to stronger, healthier bones.

Dr. Glassman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists. He is certified in acupuncture, auriculotherapy and physiotherapy. He also offers Decompression therapy and Laser therapy. He can be reached at 623-979-2263 or www.westsidechiropractic.net.