Natural Treatment for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition of weakened bones due to low bone mass or porous bones. The skeleton supports the body for an entire lifetime, so good bone health is extremely important. People with osteoporosis have a higher risk of breaking bones, or fractures, because the bones become fragile. Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on building bone to strengthen the frame.

Osteoporosis is a condition that does not have symptoms, unless the bones start breaking. There is a bone density test that measure the bone mass and can tell the doctor if bones are becoming porous and to what degree. If there is a slight amount of bone thinning, the doctor may recommend adding a calcium supplement to the daily nutrition plan. A program of nutrition and exercise are natural treatments for bone health.

There are vitamins that are specific bone health formulas, with a combination of minerals and vitamins that help the bones to absorb calcium. Many calcium supplements include the minerals calcium and magnesium along with Vitamin D to boost absorption.

The doctor can recommend a dosage, based upon the severity of your condition. When I had a seriously broken leg my doctor recommended massive doses of calcium, well over the normal dosage.

Calcium needs Vitamin D to be properly absorbed and to be effective. Many calcium supplements are combined with Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also manufactured naturally when the sunshine touches your skin. According to the National Institute of Health, about 15 minutes of sunshine exposure daily is adequate for most people.

A balanced diet can also provide the vitamins and minerals needed for good health and healthy bones. A balanced diet includes adequate portions of protein, fish, vegetables, fruits, dairy product grains and nuts. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and wish to treat it naturally with diet, a nutritionist can help you work out the diet plan that provides the adequate nutrition needed.

Weight bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, hiking or weight lifting, can help to build strong bones. Weight bearing exercise puts a certain amount of stress on the bones and they respond to the stress by becoming stronger.

If the osteoporosis is severe, the doctor may recommend a medication to treat the condition. Speak to the doctor about whether it is best to treat your condition with nutrition and exercise or if medication is the appropriate treatment.

Information in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have questions about a medical condition, please consult a physician.

Resources: National Institute of Health

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