Increase Bone Density

If you want to increase bone density all you need to do is drink lots of milk right?

Wrong!

Everybody knows the importance of calcium for strong human bones and healthy teeth but ...

did you know calcium is not the only mineral required to increase bone density?

Your body also needs an adequate supply of high quality magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin D in order to keep bones and teeth healthy.

Some of these nutrients are available in the foods we eat but most of us are unable to meet the needs of our bodies through diet alone.

Note: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is essential for calcium absorption.

Concerned About Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease where your bones gradually become weaker and weaker, resulting in changes in posture and making you very susceptible to bone fractures.

It affects more than 28 million persons in the US and leads to more than 1.5 million fractures each year. By age 60 to 70, more than 30% of women have osteoporosis, and the incidence increases to 70% by age 80.

Men are also susceptible to osteoporosis and the rates of osteoporosis in men are increasing.

Osteoporosis is known as a “silent disease” because you may not notice any symptoms until one of your bones break.

Calcium for Bone Health

I am sure most people know the importance of calcium supplementation to increase bone density but what is not well known is that calcium supplements are not all the same. The form of calcium chosen will determine if your body is able to recognize and use the calcium it needs.

Calcium citrate and/or calcium carbonate are commonly used in supplements and other products such as Tums but ...

Here's an Eye Opener for You!

Unfortunately, your body will only absorb about 20 to 25% of the calcium from these forms and they can potentially cause problems such as:

• constipation and diarrhea,
• flatulence,
• nausea, and
• bloating

But Even Worse

Another popular form of calcium is known as calcium hydroxyapetite, which is even more poorly absorbed at only 17%.

A Better Choice

There is a safer form of calcium available in the form of calcium amino acid chelate.

This form is absorbed and retained in your bones to increase bone density more effectively.

Studies have shown approximately twice the absorption rate and research indicates that it is retained in the bones more effectively than other forms of calcium.

Heaney RP, Recker RR and Weaver CM. Absorbability of calcium sources: the limited role of solubility. Calcif Tissue Int 46: 300-304, 1990.

According to Professor D. Graff at Weber State University:

• Animals retain 54.4% more calcium from Albion’s calcium amino acid chelate and significantly,
• 57% more calcium from Albion’s amino acid chelate found its way to the bone tissue than from calcium chloride

Since only bioavailable minerals enhance your body’s metabolic process and contribute to the maintenance and production of healthy tissue, for bone health, you should look for products that use Albion’s calcium amino acid chelate.

Minerals for Bone Health

Besides calcium, minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese are also important to increase bone density and maintain proper bone mass.

The effects of calcium supplementation with and without the addition of these trace minerals was evaluated in healthy postmenopausal women in a two-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Nutrition.

The researchers found:

• bone loss relative to base line value continued in the placebo group.
• the group supplemented with calcium showed some slowing of bone loss
• the group receiving calcium plus trace minerals had its bone loss halted

Further studies examining the effects of magnesium supplementation in postmenopausal women suggest that magnesium supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Vitamin D and Bone Health

During youth and adolescence, Vitamin D is critical to increase bone density and optimize bone health.

The two major forms of vitamin D are Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).

Vitamin D3 is the form that is made by your body and is found in some foods.

Vitamin D2 is the form most often added to milk and other foods and is the form most commonly used in supplements.

New research indicates that Vitamin D3 may be more effective, especially in individuals who are unable to convert Vitamin D2 to Vitamin D3.

Your body manufactures Vitamin D3 in response to your skin’s exposure to sunlight.

It is then converted to calcitriol (the active hormone form of vitamin D) in your kidneys so it can act on other tissues in the body.

Warning! You probably don’t get enough of this important vitamin.

While solar UVB is the natural way to obtain vitamin D, research indicates that if you live in the northern latitude countries such as the U.S., Canada and Europe you are not getting adequate sunlight exposure to produce the required vitamin D, particularly during the winter months.

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