Naturopathic Solutions For Bone Disorders

Your bones form your skeleton – which is literally what holds up your body.

Bones give our bodies shape and structure and provide protection for our internal organs.

And bone health is an important component for our overall health.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto I want to help you understand the importance of bone health, and some of the supplements you can use to help keep them strong.

What Are Bones For?

In addition to providing structure and support to our bodies, bones have an important role in both the immune system and respiration.

Yes, there is a lot more going on with our bones than many people realize.

Marrow is a substance stored in bones which contains stem cells, which produce blood cells, including white blood cells which comprise an important part of the immune system.

So that means a naturopath focusing in autoimmune disorders will have to pay attention to your bone health as well.

The bones which form your ribcage, help to facilitate breathing by expanding and contracting with the diaphragm, allowing your lungs to fill with air.

They also serve to protect your lungs, as well as your heart, from damage.

What Are Bone Disorders?

Bone disorders are conditions which can make your bones more susceptible to becoming brittle and breaking.

Let’s have a look at some bone disorders you should be aware of.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disorder caused by a loss of bone density.

As a result, bones become thinner and weakened and fracture easily.

Certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing it including:

• Those with a small, thin frame
• The elderly
• Women, especially white and Asian women
• People with a family history of osteoporosis

Additionally, some medications can create a higher risk for this disease.

Often someone will not realize they have osteoporosis until they suffer a bone fracture because of it.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition which is characterized by inflammation of the joints, which leads to stiffness, pain, and swelling.

There are actually more than fifty different types of arthritis, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is caused by “wear and tear” on the joints due to breakdown of cartilage which leads to bone grinding up against other bones.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory arthritis, is often the result of autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks your body’s own tissues.

Bone Cancer

Cancer of the bones is uncommon, making up less than one percent of all cancer cases.

It also doesn’t include cancers which begin elsewhere in the body and spread to bones, as cancers are named for the area in which they started.

Bone cancer is characterized by weakened bones, swelling, tenderness, and pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a disorder which leads to bones breaking easily and often for no known reason.

Other side effects include spinal curvature, loss of hearing, and muscle weakness.

This condition is genetic, and affects the genes which produce collagen, an important protein for bone health.

Natural Supplements For Healthy Bones

If you are concerned about developing bone disorders, there are a number of natural supplements you can use to help promote bone health.

Let’s review some of the most important nutrients for bone health.

Calcium

If you were to ask what the most important nutrient for strong bones is, most people would probably come up with the answer “calcium” relatively easily.

Calcium is crucial to the development and structure of teeth and bones.

While dairy products are widely known for containing this important nutrient, there are also some great non dairy sources of calcium, including:

• Nuts and seeds
• Sardines
• Beans
• Leafy green vegetables
• Whole grains
• Edamame

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in the production and maintenance of bone tissue.

It also helps with the absorption of calcium and should be taken at the same time as calcium supplements.

This important nutrient can be created by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight.

Deficiency is common for people who live in northern climates which don’t get a lot of sun for much of the year.

So for those of us who live here in Toronto, it’s a good idea to consider using a supplement, especially during the winter months.

Vitamin D also has a number of other benefits, including:

• As a stress management solution
• To ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease
• To help keep your thyroid healthy
• To ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps to preserve bone mass because it triggers osteocalcin, which is a protein that helps calcium bind to bones.

Additionally it helps to withdraw calcium build up from the walls of arteries, preventing the calcification of blood vessels.

There are multiple forms of vitamin K, and K2 specifically is the easiest type for the body to absorb.

Magnesium

In order for your body to efficient use calcium, it requires magnesium.

It plays a role in helping to absorb calcium and the metabolic processes involved with building bone.

Many of the food sources of magnesium are the same as those which contain calcium, including dark green vegetables, nuts, grains, soy, and legumes.

Magnesium also has a number of other benefits, including:

• To help manage seasonal affective disorder
• To help manage stress
• To alleviate the symptoms of PMS

Strontium

Strontium is a trace mineral which helps to improve bone density.

In one study, participants who were given two grams of strontium daily showed a significant reduction in the rest of fracture, over participants who were given a placebo.

If using strontium supplements, they should not be taken at the same time as calcium, as they will compete to be absorbed by your body.

Book Your Appointment With Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, Today

Are you worried about bone health?

Maybe you’re in a category which is considered high risk for bone disease or osteoporosis.

Or you have a family history of bone disorders, or an autoimmune condition which impacts bone health.

I’m Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, and I can help you get ahead of bone disease.

Contact me today to set up an appointment to discuss this, or any other health issues which may be concerning you.