Dr. Mercola February 12 2005 1,906 views
An estimated 30 million American women either have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to fragility, low bone mass, structural deterioration of bone tissue and increased susceptibility to fractures. However, researchers may have established a link between calcium and bone development that suggests efforts of avoiding the condition could start before puberty.
In a study that followed the calcium effect on bone density in over 350 girls ages 8 to 13, researchers found:
Elevated calcium use during pre-adolescence could help prevent fractures and osteoporosis later in life, as the pubertal growth spurt accounts for nearly 40 percent of the gain in the entire adult skeletal mass.
Calcium supplementation's effects on bone density decreased after the onset of menstruation.
Calcium requirements differed according to body size: taller individuals need more calcium during growth than shorter individuals.
While the average calcium intake among all girls who participated in the study was 830 milligrams per day, the calcium bone density effects were found highest in the group supplemented with an additional 670mg (1500mg total). And, while the risk of developing osteoporosis is an aspect of old age, having a strong skeleton at a young age can sway the possibility of developing the condition toward better bone health in later years.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition January 2005 Vol. 81, No. 1, 175-188
Science Daily February 1, 2005
A study I previously ran on this site found a stronger connection between exercise and improved bone density among teens than taking calcium. Fact is, most patients I see are far more concerned about their calcium requirements than whether or not they are getting enough exercise to build their bones. It is important to understand, however, there are many healthy and inexpensive options available to help make your bones strong.
There are a number of important things you can do if you have low bone density, or are worried about it in the future. One is to increase your consumption of vegetables based on your body's unique nutritional type. Remember, what may be healthy for others is not necessarily healthy for you and vice-versa, so eating according to your nutritional type is really an incredible way to determine what you are naturally designed to eat.
However, if after determining your nutritional type you still find it difficult to eat the recommended amount of vegetables you need daily, you can try vegetable juicing.
One of the many positive qualities of vegetable juice is that it is high in vitamin K, which is a crucial part of bone health. Yet most people do not get enough of it from diet alone unless they juice vegetables or eat large amounts of dark green leafy vegetables. The type of vitamin K from plants is vitamin K1. An even stronger vitamin K is vitamin K2 and this is obtained from animals. Probably one of the best ways to obtain vitamin K2 is from fermented raw milk products. You can ferment raw milk with kefir starter packets and get the vitamin K2 for free.
I also offer a potent disease-fighting form of vitamin K2 in supplemental form. This exclusive patented formula of vitamin K2 -- derived from a newly available extract of natto -- is only available online here at Mercola.com.
Some Major Benefits of Vitamin K
Another important tool to improve bone density is the use of anabolic steroids like DHEA and testosterone. These bioidentical hormones are incredibly powerful tools that consistently increase bone density.
However, these hormones should only be implemented with expert professional guidance. The use of the prescription drug testosterone, which is given as a gel, needs to be guided through the use of blood, urine testing, or saliva testing. It is also important to understand that bioidentical estrogen and progesterone must be used when women use testosterone as this will help prevent imbalances.
This works out well as most women seem to benefit from the use of estrogen and progesterone once they are menopausal. The doses, however, are quite variable. Typically estrogen is given as estradiol gel and progesterone as an oral micronized version, as the progesterone creams do not seem to work very well.
Also, vitamin D from the sun (and if you don't get enough sun exposure) cod liver oil is key to maintaining strong bones.
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