Fractures caused by thinning and brittle bones affects one in three women and one in twelve men. It is a leading cause of death.

Bone mass reaches a peak at about the age of 35. After that it declines, especially for women who have 10 % - 15% less bone mass than men at skeletal maturity. There is then an accelerated loss of bone for up to a decade around the menopause when there is a decline in hormone levels. The answer is not Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This increases the risk of heart attack, strokes, blood clots and cancer.

Calcium Can Cause Problems If Taken Alone

Calcium is important. But osteoporosis is not disease caused by calcium deficiency. Just taking calcium supplements is not the answer. There is no guarantee is will be absorbed into the bone. It could remain in the blood and be delivered to non bone tissues where it may create its own problems. Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium but it is also works in synergy with other minerals.

Magnesium Is Also Important

One third of the body's magnesium is found in tissues, two-thirds is found in the bones. Its role is crucial in calcium and bone metabolism. Bone strength, volume and development is decreased in deficiency states. A number of population studies show a positive association with bone mineral density (BMD).

Strontium Can Stimulate Bone Formation

In the early part of the 20th century studies showed strontium to be effective in stimulating rapid formation of bone and that strontium and calcium were superior to calcium alone in mineralizing bone.

Boron Helps Bones To Heal

Boron is an important mineral for calcium retention. Dr Rex Newnham, a world authority on boron has stated that broken bones will heal in half the usual time with adequate supplies of this mineral.

Manganese Is Needed For The Growth Of Bone

Manganese is needed to mineralize the bones. Osteoporotic women were found to have blood manganese levels at only 25% of the level of women without osteoporosis. Abnormal bone and cartilage growth can arise with deficiencies. There may also be degeneration of the vertebral discs.

You Need Zinc, Copper & Silicon

Silicon is a rigid substance and the body uses it at the calcification sites of bones. Zinc is required for bone to form normally. Copper works in association with zinc. A lack of this mineral can lead to defects in the bone and calcium loss. Iron may also have a role to play in bone formation.

Let's Not Forget Vitamins

Vitamin D is required for calcium to be absorbed in the intestines. It also helps regulate bone turnover. Deficiencies are quite common in the elderly since its status declines with age.

Vitamin K is vital for bone formation, remodelling and repair. A few population studies show that deficiencies of vitamin K in either the diet or circulating in the body is associated with reduced BMD or an increase in the rate of fracture.

Vitamin C is also required for bone health. It is vital for the formation of collagen within the bone matrix. It may protect the skeleton from oxidative stress especially for those that smoke. Cigarette smoking increases hip fracture risk.

Vitamin A has an important role to play in bone remodelling. Deficiencies of this vitamin have detrimental affects on bone health.

A toxic byproduct of protein metabolism is called homocysteine. Studies suggest that the body is less able to convert it to less toxic compounds at the menopause. This means the body requires more folic acid to complete the task. Other vitamins which help lower homocysteine are vitamins B6 and B12.

And Finally

In conclusion, bone health depends on a wide range of nutrients that goes well beyond just supplementing with calcium. This approach is likely to achieve more success than current orthodox treatments for osteoporosis.

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