|
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease resulting in loss of
normal bone density. The bones become thin, porous, and brittle,
making the individual susceptible to bone fractures. Loss
of body height also occurs as the disease progresses. Osteoporosis
primarily affects women. The amount of mineral in the bone—bone
mass—reaches a peak when a woman is between thirty and
thirty-five years old. Typically, as a woman gets older, bone
loss occurs.
Insufficient calcium intake is a major factor that causes
osteoporosis, but there are other dietary practices that affect
calcium metabolism as well. For instance, a high-sugar or
high-sodium diet, or a diet high in animal protein, causes
the body to excrete increased amounts of needed calcium. This
forces the body to get the calcium it needs from bones. Other
products that cause these same results include caffeine, alcohol,
and a variety of drugs. Regular weight-bearing exercise, like
walking, is recommended for increasing bone mass. And calcium
and magnesium supplements in a ratio of two to one are often
recommended to prevent or slow down the negative effects of
osteoporosis.
The disease is also tied to a deficiency of the female hormone
estrogen, and is seen most often in postmenopausal women.
Declining estrogen production or the inability to assimilate
calcium normally disturbs the calcium balance, leading to
bone porosity and brittleness. Calcium is normally absorbed
by bone. The calcium content of bone is regulated and maintained
by estrogen and parathyroid hormones. Without normal estrogen
levels, calcium is actually leached out of the bones and ends
up being deposited in the soft tissues of the body.
When the normal colonies of beneficial flora in the gastrointestinal
tract are depleted for any reason, changes occur that cause
excessive amounts of estrogen to be eliminated, instead of
being recycled. The end result is that very low levels of
this important hormone are present in the bloodstream. Another
reason to keep your friendly bacteria levels strong is that
they produce lactic acid, which has been shown to have a positive
effect on the improved utilization and absorption of calcium.
RECOMMENDED PROBIOTIC REGIMEN
Take 1 teaspoon each of L. acidophilus, B. bifidum,
and L. bulgaricus powders mixed in 8 ounces plain yogurt,
twice daily.
In addition to the above regimen, for increased strength,
take 1 combination capsule that contains all three super strains
in an oil-matrix carrier, once a day.
|
