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Feature Article:
Healthy
Approach to Bone Density
Bones are living tissue, which constantly recycles old bone, and rebuilds new strong bone. Prevention is the key to maintaining strong healthy bones. Only in rare or severe diseases will bone density drop rapidly. The majority of cases in a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis have taken years of neglect to reach that point. Bone density naturally peaks at age 35 and begins a gradual decline. Increasing bone density as much as possible in the early years allows for greater reserves throughout life. Lifestyle issues that weaken the bones include a lack of exercise, high sugar/high fat diet, lack of calcium in diet, lack of adequate Vitamin D from diet or sunlight, high phosphorous intake (soda pop) and high stress, which cause the body to become acidic. When acidic, your body will keep blood calcium levels very stable at all costs, so it will pull calcium from the bones and put it into the tissues or bloodstream rather than leave it in the bones. If this chronic removal of calcium occurs, eventually bone density is affected. Positive steps to prevent further bone loss include: - Weight bearing exercise (lifting weights) - Alkalinizing diet - lots of fruits/veggies, moderate grains/meats - Low amounts of sugar and soda - Proper Calcium intake 1000-1500 mg/day Osteopenia /
Osteoporosis
At this point, the bones are beginning to thin. Most people are concerned with the level of bone density and how the readings look on DEXA testing. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I am also concerned with the strength and health of the bone, not just the density. An initial pharmaceutical prescription encourages one type of bone cell, the osteoclast, to slow down the removal of old bone and lets the osteoblast (bone builder), continue its work. This allows a denser bone to form, but does not necessarily correlate to a stronger or healthier bone. My analogy is that it ends up being "more like glass" - very dense, but brittle. From a Naturopathic perspective, we wish to encourage the strengthening and development of strong healthy bone density. At this point, basic calcium carbonate is no longer enough. Living bone is a matrix of several minerals and crystalline structures. The form of calcium recommended at this stage is MCHC- Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite: A formulation of whole bone constituents processed to maintain its crystalline structure while free from lead or other contamination. Do not be confused with calcium hydroxyappetite, which has been processed differently. Other factors to consider include levels of Vitamin D. Summer sunlight on the skin will produce approximately 400iu/day. In Northern Alberta, I often recommend cod liver oil between October and April to make up for the low levels of sunlight. Recent research is showing that large numbers of people are low in Vitamin D and may require higher levels of supplementation (1000-3000iu/day, especially with osteoporosis). Always discuss with a medical professional knowledgeable in nutrition before going to such doses as Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that can cause toxicity. Strontium is a trace mineral in the research lately. It has shown itself to be a bone "builder". All existing approved drugs are which meainstream medicine reliest to treat osteoporosis- including bisphosphonates (Fosamax®), hormone replacement therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators (Evista®) and calcitorin, are "antiresorptive agents". That is they slow down runaway bone resorption. Even calcium and Vitamin D supplements have an anti-resorptive mechanism of action, by keeping the body's store of calcium at levels high enough to keep calcium from being leeched out of your bones by parathyroid hormone. They don't actually increase the body's ability to build new bone. That's where strontium comes in. Strontium not only inhibits the excessive breakdown of existing bone, but also powerfully boosts the body's ability to build new bone!
Other specific vitamins and minerals to be aware of must include: Vitamin K, Manganese, Magnesium, Folic Acid, Boron, Vitamin B6 and Zinc. Discuss your individual requirements with your nutritionally focused Naturopathic Doctor.
Clinic
News:
 Weight
Loss Program
Many of our patients have had tremendous success
with our new First Line Therapy Program. It is an easy effective and
healthy program for improved body composition using Ultramaintain
medical food* along with an eating plan. Improved body
composition means lower percent fat tissue and higher percent lean
tissue or muscle.
In an
independent study at the University of Oregon School of Human
Performance, a group of 27 women using Ultramaintain and following a
moderate exercise program were able to lose fat as they increased their
lean muscle mass. At the end of the seven week program, these
women not only weighed less, but they also had improved body
composition. These study results are very important because yo-yo
dieting has a damaging effect on health. Most weight loss diets
lead to a loss of not only fat but lean muscle mass as well. The
loss of muscle causes the metabolism to slow down making it
very easy to regain the weight. The First Line Therapy program
leads to improved body composition and therefore lasting weight
loss.
Ultramaintain medical food is a nutritionally
fortified, powdered beverage mix designed for nutritional support of
patients with altered body composition and conditions such as
dyslipidemia (elevated LDL levels), hypertension, metabolic symdrome
(increased insulin resistance ), and estrogen imbalance.
Ultramaintain is not a meal replacement. It is used in
conjunction with a specially designed dietary plan. It is made up
of a combination of select nutrients in amounts that nutritionally
suport biochemical functions and metabolism within the body. It
is designed to provide specific vitamins and minerals and selected
types and ratios of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to support the
body's ability to decrease excess fat and improve body
composition.
The patient's progress is carefully monitored
through the 12 week program using our Bioelectrical
Impedence Analysis (BIA) system. It provides a wealth of
useful information including your percent body fat, lean body mass,
hydration level and cellular toxicity status. The computerized
system also determines how many calories your body
actually uses so that your diet can be individualized to match your
needs.
Benefits of the First
Line
Therapy Program:
Features of the First
Line
Therapy Program:
Please call Danielle at
St.
Albert Naturopathic Clinic for more information about this wonderful
program.
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care
Our clinic has chosen to carry the Dr. Hauschka line
of skin care because it is the most natural, healing skin line that we
have found anywhere.
A unique, holistic and complete line of effective facial and body care products for men and women, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care is designed to support and encourage the skin's ability to take care of itself. These therapeutic preparations restore balance and health to the skin. Their effectiveness is attributed to the use of high-quality ingredients and unique rhythmical processing.
The skin reflects and reacts to your entire being – physical,
intellectual, emotional and spiritual. If you eat well, exercise
regularly, sleep adequately and find ways to alleviate the stress in
your life, your skin will reflect this healthy lifestyle.
A dynamic, complex system of interweaving processes, the skin reflects the body's internal health and, as the largest organ of perception, it responds to external influences such as hot or cold temperatures. A large percentage of a person's T-cells, the cells of immunity, are found within its layers. The skin helps us to eliminate toxins and defend our body from bacteria. Dr. Rudolf Hauschka's holistic approach to skin care recognizes all the elements that play a role in achieving healthy, balanced skin. Dr. Hauschka products address skin care problems rather than dealing with symptoms. They encourage the skin to achieve balance and harmony by stimulating the skin's ability to take care of itself and overcome its weaknesses. Dr. Hauschka Skin Care offers long-term solutions, revealing the natural beauty of the skin, allowing inner beauty to shine forth. Women's
Health
Calcium and PMS
In a study of 497 women with PMS symptoms, half the women
were given 1200 mg of Calcium carbonate per day, while the other half
were given a placebo. During the luteal phase (the 2 weeks
between ovulation and the onset of the period), there was a significant
decrease in symptoms in the calcium group by the third month.
Calcium effectively resulted in a 48% reduction in total
symptoms. The symptoms considered in this study were negative
moods, water retention, food cravings and pain. All of these
symptoms were significantly reduced by the third month.
Reference:
Jacobs et al.
Calcium
carbonate and the premenstrual syndrome: effects on premenstrual and
menstrual symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998; Aug: 444-452.
Recipe
of
the month
Three Bean Vegetable
Salad
2-3 cups
chopped
vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, etc.)
1 14 oz.
can red
kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 14 oz.
can chickpeas,
drained and rinsed
1 small
onion, chopped
1 small
green pepper, chopped
Dressing:
2/3
cup wine
vinegar
1/2 cup
extra virgin olive oil
1/2
tsp dried
dillweed
2
cloves garlic
cloves, minced
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