Osteoporosis
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- What is osteoporosis?
- Symptoms of osteoporosis
- Causes of osteoporosis
- Prevention of osteoporosis
- Risk factors for osteoporosis
- Complications of osteoporosis
- When to see a doctor about osteoporosis
- Diagnosis of osteoporosis
- Conventional treatment of osteoporosis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of osteoporosis
- Living with osteoporosis
- Caring for someone with osteoporosis
Alternative/complementary treatment of osteoporosis
There are a number of alternative / complementary treatment options which are recommended for mild to moderate osteoporosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying any of the treatments suggested, to prevent any complications with medications or other conditions.
Herbs
There are a no herbs which are suggested to be of use for people with osteoporosis.
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins, which are also needed for increasing bone tissue, preventing bone tissue break-down and preventing bone loss:
- Folic acid - studies show that folic acid helps with bone tissue re-formation
- Vitamin B1 - the immune system enhancing vitamin B1 (thiamin) is required for women who take HRT, in order to reduce the side effects from the medication
- Vitamin B2 - the immune system enhancing vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is required for women who take HRT, in order to reduce the side effects from the medication
- Vitamin B6 - the immune system enhancing vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is required for women who take HRT, in order to reduce the side effects from the medication
- Vitamin B12 - the important immune system enhancing vitamin B12 assists with increasing bone mineral density
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C also assists with better calcium absorption, but not too much, as excessive levels of vitamin C may actually increase bone loss
- Vitamin D - the important vitamin D helps the body absorb more of the calcium from food and this helps to strengthen bones and prevent bone tissue loss. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for bone health
- Vitamin K - vitamin K is required to enable calcium to function correctly in the bones so that it is retained in the bones which helps with reducing bone loss and this helps to decrease bone fractures. Vitamin K also helps with the formation of collagen, which is part of the matrix of healthy bone tissue
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may help to reduce risk of osteoporosis or limit progression of the condition in people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis:
- Boron - studies show that the mineral boron is necessary to ensure calcium and the other minerals work correctly together to prevent further bone tissue loss
- Calcium - one of the most important mineral in preventing further bone loss and to strengthen bone tissue is calcium. Bone tissue is mostly made up of calcium, which is why this mineral is so important to bone health. Dairy foods are not the only foods which contain calcium, there are plenty of foods that are non-dairy which are rich in calcium too
- Copper - the mineral copper, creates healthy bone tissues and prevents osteoporosis, but as only very little of it is needed, it may be better to get adequate intake from the diet
- Magnesium - some researchers believe that osteoporosis may actually be a condition caused by deficiency in magnesium. Calcium needs adequate intake of magnesium so that it can be better absorbed by the bones
- Manganese - the mineral manganese, helps the body absorb more of the calcium from foods eaten, but as only very little of it is needed, it may be better to get adequate intake from the diet
- Phosphorus - the mineral phosphorus is needed to keep the calcium in the bones and it is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, especially in the bones
- Silica - the mineral silica helps with osteoporosis and especially in healing after any fractures, but as only very little of it is needed, it may be better to get adequate intake from the diet
- Zinc - the mineral zinc helps the body absorb more of the calcium from foods eaten in the diet. In addition to this, zinc is required for women who take HRT, in order to reduce the side effects from the medication
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Chondroitin - the nutrient chondroitin exists naturally in the body and may also help the bones keep more of their mineral matrix intact and so prevent bone loss
- Coenzyme Q10 - the nutrient coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance which is produced by the body and due to its antioxidant effects may reduce bone loss due to the effect of free radicals
- Fish oil - some studies have suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids or from fish oil supplements may provide a protective effect on the bones and reduce risk of osteoporosis. The studies suggested that people who took a fish oil supplement for 16 weeks had high levels of calcium, osteocalcin and collage as well as reduced levels of alkaline phosphotase, all of which indicated improved bone health. Studies show that even a diet high in foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout) can help to inhibit the production of eicosanoids, hormone-like substances which cause inflammation in the body and are associated with bone loss and this can reduce risk of osteoporosis
- Glucosamine - the nutrient glucosamine exists naturally in the body and may also help the bones keep more of their mineral matrix intact and so prevent bone loss
Dietary modifications
Certain dietary changes are advised in order to reduce bone loss and increase calcium re-absorption to strengthen bone tissue:
- Avoid cola and other soft drinks - studies show that women and young girls who drink one cola soft drink a day over a long period are increasing their risk of osteoporosis. This is due to the high phosphate content in the cola which reduces the levels of calcium in the body and this makes the bones weak and soft, causes loss of bone minerals and deteriorates bone health over time
- Eat foods high in calcium - the foods rich in calcium will help the bones retain more of their calcium and this in turn will help to strengthen the bones and prevent further bone mineral loss. Even people with lactose intolerance can get adequate calcium from food that is not dairy
- Eat foods high in vitamin D - the foods rich in vitamin D are essential to help the body absorb more of the calcium and this will help to strengthens the bones and prevent further bone mineral loss
- Eat more fruits and vegetables - these foods are high in nutrients which are necessary for good bone health. Studies show a vegetarian diet is associated with a lowered risk for osteoporosis and this is most likely related to the acid-forming effects of meat which can increase bone mineral loss through loss of calcium
- Moderate protein intake - studies show that high intakes of animal protein can stimulate increased excretion of calcium and may even promote break-down of bone tissue which can lead to osteoporosis. In addition to this, a high meat protein diet needs a high level of stomach acid to break down and digest the meat and excessive acid levels in the body can also lead to reduced calcium levels and ultimately bone loss
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Avoid aluminium - the mineral aluminium has an antagonistic effect on calcium; this means it lowers calcium levels in the body which is associated with osteoporosis. In order to avoid this effect, avoid all aluminium cookware and deodorants with aluminium, use stainless steel or cast iron cookware and use natural deodorants that do not contain aluminium
- Exercise more - regular exercise, especially weight bearing exercise such as resistance exercises (light weights), should be undertaken to help strengthen the bones. Aim to have at least three to four days of this type of exercise each week, even just 20 minutes and incorporate some walking each day and this all will greatly reduce risk of developing osteoporosis and progression of the condition in people who are already diagnosed
- Limit alcohol intake - excessive alcohol intake is detrimental for people with osteoporosis, as it reduces the liver's ability to detoxify excess cortisol, a hormone which reduces bone density if it is in high levels in the body. In addition to this, alcohol is highly acidic and can decrease pH levels in the body which is not beneficial for bone health. Aim to have one to two glasses of alcohol only on three to five days a week at the very most
- Stop smoking - this is a definite risk factor for osteoporosis and people who smoke are recommended that they should stop, especially if there has already been some bones loss as the smoking will only cause further bone mineral loss
Alternative treatments
- Acupuncture - some alternative health practitioners recommend acupuncture as a suitable treatment for people who have pain associated with stress fractures they have sustained in the spine or other parts of the skeleton
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with osteoporosis > Last reviewed: 17 September 2007 || Last updated: 18 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
