Naturopathic Solutions For Osteoporosis

Our bones are a pretty important part of our bodies.

They literally hold us up, give us structure, and provide protection for our vital organs.

If you break a bone, it can make doing everyday things quite difficult until it’s healed.

Keeping our bones healthy is, undeniably, a pretty important part of our overall health.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto I want to help you learn about bone disease, and what you can do to keep your skeleton healthy.

Continue reading, or watch the video below as we explore more about osteoporosis – what it is, and how to combat it.

What Is Osteoporosis?

The word osteoporosis comes from the Latin words for “porous bones”.

Contrary to what many people believe, bones aren’t completely solid all the way through – inside healthy bones are plates and rods called trabecular which has a spongy appearance.

Small spaces in the trabecular are normal, but in people with osteoporosis these spaces increase, and as a result bones become weaker and less dense.

Osteoporosis is most prevalent in women fifty years of age and older.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

In many cases, the early stages of osteoporosis won’t have any major symptoms or warning signs.

Many people won’t realize they have it until they suffer a bone fracture, most commonly including wrist, hip, and spine fractures.

In cases where there are symptoms, they can include:

• Permanent, intense bone pain
• Loss of height
• Decreased grip strength
• Receding gums
• Curved spine, stooped posture from spine weakening
• Poor mobility
• Brittle nails
• Feeling depressed and isolated
• Increased risk of death

What Causes Osteoporosis?

There are a number of factors which can lead to low bone density and result in osteoporosis.

Some of these include:

• Age
• Diets which severely restrict calories leading to malnutrition
• Low levels of vitamin D
• Certain medications
• High levels of stress
• Depression
• Inactive lifestyle
• Hormonal changes, such as during menopause
• Certain medical conditions
• Nutrient deficiencies

Naturopathic Solutions For Osteoporosis

If you are worried you may be at risk of developing osteoporosis or want to take measures to protect your bones as you age, then there are a variety of naturopathic solutions which can help.

Let’s have a closer look at some of the things that can help you maintain strong bones.

1. Get Enough Calcium

When you think of bone health, the first thing which probably comes to mind is calcium – most of us have advertisements for milk to thank for making this connection.

Calcium is essential for the structure of your bones, and milk and dairy products are certainly a great source.

However, if you don’t include dairy in your diet, some non dairy sources of calcium include:

• Sardines
• Almonds
• Green vegetables such as kale and broccoli
• Sunflower seeds
• Soy milk
• Chia seeds
• Dried figs

2. Get Enough Manganese

Manganese is a trace mineral which is important for bone production.

It can’t be created by the body, so it must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

Some foods sources of manganese include:

• Legumes and beans
• Hazelnuts
• Soy
• Macadamia nuts
• Whole grains, including brown rice, rye, oats, and buckwheat
• Pineapple juice and raw pineapple
• Spinach
• Peanuts

3. Take Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a plant which has been used by the indigenous peoples of North America as medicine for hundreds of years.

It has a wide variety of uses, including helping to alleviate symptoms of menopause, weight loss, helping to improve sleep, and helping to protect against osteoporosis.

This is because it contains estrogen like substances called phytoestrogens, and they play a role in preventing bone loss.

4. Get Enough Vitamin D

We’ve already talked about the importance of calcium for strong bones; however, vitamin D and calcium go hand in hand.

Getting enough vitamin D is important because it helps your body better absorb calcium.

Also known as the “sunshine vitamin”, your skin needs only about twenty minutes of exposure to sunlight per day to make enough vitamin D for the day.

However, this won’t work as well if you are wearing sunscreen, so be careful not to get burnt.

During the cold winter months when we don’t see the sun very often, especially in the northern hemisphere, taking vitamin D supplements can be helpful.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves the specialized placement of thin needles on the body.

A 2018 meta analysis in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine found acupuncture had a beneficial effect on the bone density of patients with osteoporosis.

However, this meta analysis does admit the studies to date have been low quality, and further research is needed.

That said, acupuncture treatment in Toronto is a promising natural treatment for osteoporosis.

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

Are you worried because you’re considered to be in a high risk group for osteoporosis?

Maybe you have dietary restrictions which prevent you from getting certain nutrients such as calcium and want to discuss the possibility of using supplements to help fill some of those gaps.

No matter the issues, I can help.

I’m Dr. Sheila Dyer, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, and I can help you learn to naturally manage your health.

Contact my office today for more information or to set up an appointment.