Thriving after a diagnosis of osteoporosis

Women are more at risk than men of developing osteoporosis. After receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia is important to keep moving and exercising safely. This means not putting compression on the spine, especially in the thoracic area of ​​the spine. Walking, dancing, strength training and swimming are often suggested.

Perhaps osteoporosis in your family. Or, are going through menopause and wonder how to prevent and to reach the menopause is a risk factor. In fact, several factors increase your chances of developing osteoporosis or fracture, including:

* A thin, small-boned frame

* Previous fracture or family history of osteoporotic fracture

* Deficiency of estrogen in early menopause (before age 45) either natural or surgical removal of the ovaries, or as a result of prolonged amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation) in younger women (often with anorexia or extremely low body fat in athletes and

* Advanced age

* A diet low in calcium

* Caucasian or Asian descent (African Americans and Hispanics have a slightly lower risk)

* Smoking

* Excessive use of alcohol

* Prolonged use of certain medications or recreational drugs.

Women lose bone rapidly after menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis, especially in early 04/08.

Often the first indication that may be at risk of osteoporosis begins with calcium in the blood decreases as blood testing. Sometimes this is accompanied by a thyroid imbalance, vitamin D and / or a magnesium deficiency.

Corticosteroid medications. Prolonged use of corticosteroids, like prednisone or cortisone is bad for bones. These and other steroid medications are common treatments for chronic diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, among others.

You can not stop them to reduce their risk of osteoporosis, unless you find a way to deal with the underlying cause of the chronic condition. Ask your doctor to monitor your bone density, if you need to take a steroid medication for long periods. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if other medications might be recommended instead of corticosteroids, which have the same impact on bones.

Other drugs associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis include the aromatase inhibitors to treat breast cancer, antidepressant medications known as selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), another drug called methotrexate treatment of cancer, certain seizure medications blockers, the stomach acid inhibitors-called proton pump and antacids containing aluminum.

Laboratory tests can be performed on blood and urine. The test results can help the doctor identify conditions that may contribute to bone loss.
These are the most common blood tests:

* Levels of calcium in the blood
* Vitamin D blood levels
* Thyroid function
* Levels of parathyroid hormone
* Estradiol levels to measure estrogen
* The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to establish menopausal status
* Levels of testosterone (in men)
* The levels of osteocalcin bone formation measures

The most common tests are the urine:

* 24 hour urine collection to measure calcium metabolism
* Tests to measure the rate at which bone is breaking

Once you know if there is a deficiency or imbalance of nutrients in your body, then support your health by increasing levels of nutrient deficiencies and to correct a thyroid imbalance, for example, can do wonders to increase calcium in the blood again and therefore, in the bones themselves.

Other markers that indicate the need to correct an imbalance in the body long before we see low levels of calcium or a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Poor digestion, stress affects the adrenal glands, and parathyroid gland problems can lead to osteoporosis.

There are several factors that predispose to osteoporosis that can be controlled, sometimes by their own or with help from a health professional.
- Poor diet over a long period of time
- Excessive use of alcohol and recreational drugs
- Hormone dysfunction or deregulation
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Drugs - recreational or prescription or over the counter
- Prolonged bed rest
- Anorexia and other eating disorders

It might be a good idea to observe the cells that form our bones in order to better understand the process of creating and breaking bones in the body.

1. Bone-forming osteoblasts through the conversion of cartilage to bone.
2. Osteoclasts break down bone to help buffer the pH of the blood.
3. Osteocytes maintain bone tissue. These are the primary bone cells.

Calcium plays an important role in homeostasis. When the blood becomes too acidic, calcium is the buffer. Think of it as Tums blood.

When the pH of the drops of blood, which means that the blood becomes more acidic, calcium is used to buffer the acid, which makes the blood more alkaline. Less calcium is deposited in bone. When blood returns to its proper pH, calcium is stored in the bones again. Calcium can also be deposited in other tissues.

Adjust the pH of the blood and calcium in the body is the role of small parathyroid glands located behind the thyroid gland in the throat area. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a regulator in the exchange of calcium between bone and blood.

How does this work?

1. PTH increases the activity of osteoclasts in the bones to release calcium to buffer the blood pH. Remember - osteoclasts break down bone.
2. This hormone also reduces calcium is excreted in the urine to have a direct effect on the kidneys.
3. PTH also available extracts calcium from the blood digestion.

If you eat a diet rich in calcium, then a lot of calcium can be available to all the body's needs. Some suggestions for foods rich in calcium are, in alphabetical order:
· The alfalfa sprouts, which are easy to make at home
· The almonds, almond butter and almond meal or flour
· The avocados contain healthy fats also
· Coco
· Products Dairy especially raw milk hard cheeses, goat's milk
· Gelatin
· Green, including kale, turnip, beet, cabbage and romaine lettuce
· The sea algae and plants: agar, dulse, nori and kelp
· Seeds of sesame

Besides calcium, above all foods are rich in additional nutrients. That's important because more and more by simply taking calcium supplements does not necessarily translate into the absorption and utilization of this nutrient. Calcium needs co-factors that are available to their multiple functions in the body, including its use in bone.

Having identified the calcium-rich foods, and then evaluate if you are actually digesting and the use of their food. If you have the classic symptoms of indigestion: gas, bloating, excessive fullness after a meal discomfort, cramps and generally in the abdomen soon after eating, then you may need to give some attention to the digestion.

Since calcium is absorbed in an acidic environment, you may need hydrochloric acid supplements with meals to acidify the stomach. This may seem counter-intuitive, especially if you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. However, as we age our levels of hydrochloric acid drop. In fact, we suffer more from the lack of acid in the stomach that much, despite what you may hear on TV.

As mentioned, calcium co-factors needed for actual use. That means that other minerals must be present, along with vitamin D and healthy fats. Eat a variety of foods, real whole foods helps ensure that most of these co-factors are present.

Essential fatty acids, essential fatty acids necessary for the transport of nutrients through the cell membrane:
- Flax seed oil, seed oil, black currant, fish oils (EPA and DHA), fatty acid mixed walnut, hazelnut, sesame, apricot kernel
- All of these healthy fats help increase calcium levels in the tissues

Do not forget to hormonal support may be needed, so check for any thyroid, estrogen, testosterone or parathyroid dysfunction (PTH).

Other co-factors that support the bones are vitamin D that works with PTH to increase calcium in the blood and increases the absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin A, bright orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, and iodine are necessary because the iodine helps the thyroid function. Algae and seaweed mentioned above are rich sources of iodine.

Renal function is important and directly connected with the levels of calcium in the blood. One of the best things you can do is support good hydration by drinking adequate amounts of pure, filtered water. Cut the soda is also a good idea. Has detrimental effects on digestion.

Other minerals are important co-factors for the use of calcium include potassium, manganese, boron, copper and zinc. Zinc is particularly important for proper digestion.

Steps for the continued support of bone health and possible reversal, slow osteoporosis:

1. Improve digestion
2. Taking supplements of good bone mineralization or make and use bone broths organic chicken bones.
3. Increase essential fatty acids (EFAs).
4. Add vitamins A, D, E, and K (less than a blood thinner, preventing K).
5. Eating right high-quality protein.
6. Eliminate processed foods, artificial foods, soft drinks, caffeine and foods and beverages.
7. Weight bearing exercise is essential.

Now that you know the risk factors, take steps to help your bones stay healthy before the diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia. It also has the seven steps to curb the possible further deterioration of the bones once you receive a diagnosis. It may even be possible to reconstruct the bones and begin to lose the diagnosis and general health improvement.

Find more free health advice at http://www. solutionthroughnutrition.com

Sandi Thompson, NTP, Wellness Coach Certified Expert in Weight Control for Women

Sandi Thompson on solutions through nutrition specializes in weight management and lifestyle changes for the better and longer lasting. Removing barriers to healthy eating in a toxic world. Discover your individual nutritional needs and learn the steps to move forward along the path to being exceptional.

The vision of solutions through nutrition is "Improving eating habits, a dining room table at a time."

Sandi Thompson works mainly with women 50 + who are motivated to succeed and achieve your weight loss goals, the actual use of whole foods. It also works with couples and families to build a lasting change through mutual support to achieve a common goal of improving health.