Osteoporosis Treatments

Preventative Measures

• Quit smoking – long term smoking contributes to some of the worst cases of osteoporosis as it reduces bone mass.
• Reduce alcohol intake – over-consumption of alcohol also reduces bone mass and it is for this reason that it is recommended that a person has no more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
• Reduce or eliminate soft drinks – many soft drinks contain phosphorus, which can leach calcium from the blood stream and a gland in your body borrows calcium from the bones to replace it, expecting it to be replenished over time. If too many soft drinks are consumed, the body is unable to replace calcium fast enough.
• Exercise regularly – regular weight bearing exercise not only helps you to build and maintain muscle, but also builds and strengthens bone. Exercise should be undertaken three to four times a week for half an hour at a time.
• Manage stress – when stressed, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol that leaches calcium from the bones and blood. Stress management techniques such as drinking herbal tea, meditation and so forth helps to slow down the production of cortisol.

Nutritional Therapy

Women should eat foods that contain soy, such as tofu, miso, soy milk and other soy products. This is because soy is rich in isoflavones, which have estrogen-like activity and can help to increase bone density. High consumption of salt, caffeinated soft drinks, coffee and alcohol can contribute to a drop in bone density so it is recommended to limit the intake of these.

Calcium

Many people do not get enough calcium in their diet and a calcium supplement is one way to address the deficit. The supplements work best when combined with magnesium and vitamin D. Vitamin D can be obtained by spending a short amount of time per day in the sun or from foods such as liver, fish oil and fortified milk.

Herbal Medicine

• Black Cohosh – contains phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) and has been shown to relieve menopausal symptoms
• Chaste Tree – traditionally used for menstrual and menopausal symptoms but has been shown to have benefits for the treatment of osteoporosis
• Red Clover – the isoflavones extracted from this herb may slow bone loss in women
• Wild Yam – may be beneficial for both osteoporosis and menopause but more research is needed
• Horsetail – contains substances that strengthen bone
• Kelp – rich in minerals so it may be a complementary treatment for osteoporosis
• Oat Straw – boosts the levels of hormones that stimulate cell growth
• Calcium – helps maintain bone mass and reduces the risk of fractures, however, it needs to be taken in conjunction with other minerals
• Vitamin D – increases calcium absorption in the gut and increases bone density
• Vitamin K – required for bone production
• Magnesium – increases bone density
• Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids – increases calcium absorption in the gut, reduces the amount of calcium excreted through urine, increases calcium deposits in the bone and improves bone strength

Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Along with acupuncture, the practitioner also uses a combination of herbs that boost estrogen levels and provide needed minerals. Several of these herbs overlap with what a Western herbalist would use. To boost estrogen, herbs such as Black Cohosh, Angelica, Cypress, Hops, Pomegranate Husk, Sage, Ginseng and Licorice would be used. To provide minerals, the practitioner may use Horsetail, Stinging Nettle, Knotweed, Hemp Nettle or Maerl.

Massage

Chiropractics and Osteopathy

Naturopathic osteopathy links mental well-being, the body’s structure and its biochemistry and it believes that the body can heal itself if it is given the right support. Naturopathic osteopaths are able to give advice on nutrition, lifestyle and exercise, all of which are key components of managing osteoporosis.

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