I originally wrote this article for the July 2005 KCWellness Magazine. I'd like to share it with all of you:

Recent statistics estimate that this disease affects 10 million Americans over the age of 50, or one in three women and one in twelve men. Women are a target because their bones are less dense than mens, and having less estrogen levels after menopause accelerates the bone loss.

Your body stores calcium in your bones. When osteoporosis hits, your body pulls more calcium out of your bones than it deposits. This makes them fragile and vulnerable to fractures. Other complications include reduced height, rounded shoulders, humpback and low bone density when lab tests are done.

Other factors that affect bone loss are smoking, high protein and low protein diets, the phosphates that are in soft drinks, excessive sugar, salt and caffeine consumption. Balance seems to be the key here. Walking, and other weight bearing activities provide some protection, but as a society in general we like to ride rather than walk.

Although there are prescription medications for treating this disease, are there any alternatives? Why, of course there are! Simply taking in more calcium is not the answer; your body has to metabolize the calcium in your food and in supplements in order for you to get the benefits. I have always recommended that clients take balanced calcium supplements. By that I mean they should include other ingredients such as magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Eating a diet that is rich in calcium includes steamed broccoli, peas and other green vegetables. Another supplement that is often overlooked that has fantastic results is STRONTIUM. I'd like to discuss this in detail.

Strontium was listed in British pharmacy handbooks as far back as 1884. It was also commonly used to treat this problem back in the 1950's. It went out of use because it was thought that it interfered with vitamin D metabolism in the body, though now it is believed that the effect was due to calcium-deficient diets. Why I find this supplement fantastic is because of the wonderful results that many studies have shown. One in particular, a three-year study published in 2003 showed that women with osteoporosis taking strontium experienced a 41% reduction in vertebral fractures and a 11.4% increase in vertebral bone density, compared to a 1.3% decrease in overall vertebral bone density in the placebo group!. Another large study in 2004, consisting of 1,649 post-menopausal women who had at least one vertebral fracture, the participants taking strontium had half as many fractures at the end of one year as the control group taking placebos! Talk about excellent results!!!

The icing on the cake is that strontium has been shown to be as effective as drugs without the side effects! Most osteoporosis drugs, along with calcium and vitamin D supplements, reduce bone loss and only show small increases in bone density. Many osteoporosis drugs come with a variety of side effects including nausea, heartburn and gastrointestinal irritiation. When strontium is included in a properly constructed formula, these side effects do not show up! Along with a strontium-based formula, it is important to get adequate vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin B-complex, C and K, folic acid, boron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, silicon and zinc. At the same time we are talking about changes in one's diet, eliminating soft drinks (especially diet soda with artificial sweetners), reducing stress, proper sleep and an appropriate exercise program.

It's amazing how a discovery  from over 100 years ago has gone full circle. For those who remember that radioactive strontium 90 was a part of the nuclear weapons testing back in the 50's, rest assured that when strontium is used as a dietary supplement it is non-radioactive, completely non-toxic when used properly and very effective in the reversal of osteoporosis for many that use it.

If you are looking for improvements in your bone health, why don't you give me a call and setup an appointment? As an herbalist I'd love to work with you on your bone health. We can also discuss any other health-related issues you may have. You will be amazed at the results that can be achieved when you take a different view of any health-related issue.

An appointment is only a phone call or email away!

Be well!

David Laskowski, Herbalist
Viable Options - North Kansas City, MO

Ph: 816.283.0685
Website: http://www.viableoptions.com/
Email: viableoptions@sbcglobal.net

"The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any herbal formulas or supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease."