Strengthen Your Bones, Part 1

Posted by Horton Tatarian, research biochemist, on 3rd Sep 2015

Strengthen Your Bones, Part 1

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People often ask, What is good for the bones? or What is good for osteoporosis? Since our objective is to promote bone health, not bone disease, the first question is the correct one. 

Most medical professionals recommend the least expensive form of calcium for bone health, calcium carbonate. However:

The carbonate form of calcium neutralizes stomach acid required for healthy food digestion. Calcium citrate does not require stomach acid for absorption. However, calcium malate best reduces the formation of calcium kidney stones. Reference

Furthermore, calcium and vitamin D are not necessarily all you require for bone health. Researchers report benefits to taking supplemental magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin K.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency contributes to osteoporosis directly by acting on crystal formation and on bone cells and indirectly by impacting on the secretion and the activity of parathyroid hormone and by promoting low grade inflammation. Reference

Lower magnesium intake is associated with lower [bone mineral density] of the hip and whole body . . Reference

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Dietary supplementation with fish oil, flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil in animals and healthy humans significantly reduces cytokine production while concomitantly increasing calcium absorption, bone calcium, and bone density. Reference

[Essential fatty acids] reduce urinary excretion of calcium, . . . increase calcium deposition in bone and improve bone strength and . . . enhance the synthesis of bone collagen. Reference

Vitamin K

The mechanistic data as well as the observational data and the results of the first controlled clinical trials in humans point to a beneficial effect of additional intakes of vitamin K in bone health. Reference

Vitamin K2 may not only stimulate bone formation but also suppress bone resorption in vivo. Reference

So, what is good for your bones? In order of priority, all of the following answers are correct:

  1. An alkaline plant-based diet
  2. Regular, moderate exercise
  3. Effective dietary supplements

However, these answers also apply to the entire body, not just the bones. A healthful diet and regular exercise support all organs and tissues including the bones. (See Eat Foods High in Electrons.) Likewise, several of the best dietary supplements for the body as a whole are remarkably effective for bone health.

Why are the basic requirements of various parts of the body so much alike? Almost all body tissues and organs have two things in common:

  1. Similar nutritional requirements for core cell functions
  2. Similar susceptibility to oxidative stress and inflammation

These are the two reasons why MMF® appears in Schedule 5.2 and others. MMF® covers core cell functions and effectively counters oxidative stress and inflammation. MMF® supplies some calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, but most people require higher amounts, which is why these supplements are in the schedule below.

Most of the same supplements in Schedule 5.2 are in Schedule 7.1 since inflammation produces pain. Inflammation also reduces bone density and underlies practically all acquired degenerative diseases.

So, when thinking about your bones, be sure to attend to your body's basic requirements for health first. Next, if you want to take a special bone formula instead of Cal/Mag (malate), that is fine. Consider Cal Apatite® Bone Builder® Prime or Cal Apatite® Bone Builder® Active.

Supplement Schedule 5.2

At Beginning of Your First Meal
Algae Omega: 2 capsules
Cal/Mag (malate): 3 capsules
MMF®: (See instructions.)

At Beginning of Your Last Meal
Cal/Mag (malate): 3 capsules
MMF®: (See instructions.)
Vitamin D3 2,000 IU: 1 capsule
Vitamin K2: 1 capsule

Go to  Part 2

See complete product descriptions on all of the supplements you take. Also see our Disclaimer for information about allergies and nutrient-drug interactions.

About Horton Tatarian

Horton Tatarian image

I’m a biochemist who examines scientific findings on health and disease. My degree in biochemistry is from U.C. Berkeley. UCLA School of Medicine granted an M.D. degree in 1974. Since then, independent research prepared me to advise clients on natural ways of self-care.

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