As we age, we come to understand more than ever the value of looking after our health. We recognize that a healthy body and mind can often lead to a better overall lifestyle and wellbeing. What’s not often discussed, however, is how our bone density diminishes over time— a critical factor that determines our overall health and wellness.
This month, we are recognizing World Osteoporosis Day. We want to raise the awareness of osteoporosis, a disease that impacts the lives of 14 million Americans and Canadians, with additionally 44 million Americans at increased risk of developing this “silent disease” over time. Continue reading to learn more about osteoporosis.
WHY IS OSTEOPOROSIS KNOWN AS THE SILENT DISEASE?
Osteoporosis is often referred to as the silent disease because there are no visible symptoms until a bone is broken or damaged.
Although our bones may seem strong and invincible when we are young, they are living tissues that are vulnerable to the natural aging process. We experience our peak bone density at around age 30, but from there, our bone tissues can no longer replicate themselves at the required pace. When the bones are unable to replenish their tissues, holes that resemble honeycombs appear, making the bones and body more susceptible to fractures. The most frightening part is that we currently have no way to detect this phenomenon, as it is not visible to the naked eye.
WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
Osteoporosis literally translates to “porous bone” and develops when bone mass decreases or the structure of bone changes. It's a health condition that progressively weakens bone strength, increasing the risk of fractures as a result. While broken bones can appear in any part of the body due to osteoporosis, hip, spine, and wrist fractures are most common.
As we grow older, women, in particular, begin to lose bone density. To prevent osteoporosis from occurring at a later age, we can take small yet mighty steps to protect our bones, joints, and muscles from this disease.
Awareness is a great place to start, so let’s dive into everything you need to know about osteoporosis!
WHO IS AFFECTED BY OSTEOPOROSIS?
Osteoporosis doesn’t favor one age group, gender, or race. Anyone at any age can experience this condition. However, some individuals may be more prone to osteoporosis than others.
Statistics show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men suffer from weakened bones that lead to a fracture. But why are women more likely to experience a decline in bone density? It all comes down to hormones. When women are going through menopause, their hormones change, which has a direct effect on bone density. Estrogen, the female hormone, plays a crucial role in healthy bones. After going through menopause, estrogen levels drop drastically, leading to a rapid decrease in bone density.
HOW DOES OSTEOPOROSIS APPEAR INSIDE THE BODY?
As we grow older, we experience a shift in the structure of our cells from the influence of our genes, environment, and diet. Every day, our bodies work hard to replace old bone tissues with new ones. We tend to produce and replace bone tissues efficiently until we reach age 30, at which point bone density remains fairly neutral for the next two decades.
When we reach 50, we begin to lose bone density rapidly—this usually occurs around the time most women are experiencing menopause. As we lose bone mass, the structure of our bone tissues shifts, leading to weakened bones and increasing the likelihood of fractures.
WHY DO PEOPLE SUFFER FROM OSTEOPOROSIS?
Although it’s normal to lose bone density with age, this can occur more rapidly for certain groups of people. Here are some of the factors that cause us to lose bone density:
WHAT FACTORS CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF OSTEOPOROSIS?
While osteoporosis can affect anyone at any age, certain risk factors increase one’s chances of developing this bone disease. These include:
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- Gender. It is more likely for osteoporosis to appear in women than in men. When women are going through menopause, their hormones change, which has a direct effect on bone density.
- Age. As we mentioned, osteoporosis can appear at any age, but since the bones become less dense after age 50, it becomes more common as you grow older.
- Genetics. If there's a history of osteoporosis in your family, or if one of your parents has previously suffered from a hip fracture, you could be at increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Race. Studies have shown that white and Asian women are at the highest risk of developing osteoporosis, while African American and Hispanic women face a lower risk. White men are at a higher risk of osteoporosis than African American and Hispanic men.
- Weight. Men and women with a thin frame have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, as they have less bone mass to begin with.
- History of joint injury. If you have previously suffered from a joint injury, you may be prone to developing arthritis in that particular joint.
- Hormonal changes. Low levels of certain hormones can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Lifestyle. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are both significant risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Diet. Insufficient calcium and vitamin D intake can increase your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Excessive dieting or poor protein intake may increase your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis as well.
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ARE DRUGS THE BEST WAY TO TREAT OSTEOPOROSIS?
When it comes to treating osteoporosis, some people might solely seek out drugs. Generally, most osteoporosis patients are given bisphosphonate or bone-building drugs to address their low bone density.
Yet here’s the thing: Relying exclusively on bisphosphonates or bone-building drugs to cure osteoporosis can be a detriment to your health.
The side effects of bisphosphonates may include bone tissue death, fractures, cracks and pain in the bones, gastrointestinal problems, and inflammation—negating any benefits you might otherwise gain.
Bone-building drugs can result in serious consequences. Teriparatide and Abaloparatide, for instance, may increase the risk of bone cancer. Research published by the University of Texas in 2010 found that 45% of rats treated with Teriparatide developed an aggressive form of bone cancer. And during clinical trials for Romosozumab, experts found the drug presented an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. This was discovered alongside other side effects including joint pain and stiffness, tightness in the chest, and weight gain.
These bone-building drugs take approximately one to two years to work, and the benefits last only a short time. As these drugs’ effects evaporate quickly upon completion of treatment, relying on them can create a cycle of unhealthy dependence and ultimately expose you to greater health risks. When treating osteoporosis, it’s important to proceed with caution.
HOW CAN I PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS?
Our bones carry us through our daily lives, allowing us to run, dance, and play. As the years go by, the bones weaken as they shrink in size and density. Our job is to protect our internal organs and muscles by ensuring we have strong bones. So, how can we go about doing this?
The recommended daily calcium intake is 1,000 mg for women aged 50 and younger and men aged 70 and younger, and 1,200 mg for women over 50 and men over 70. However, most calcium supplements sold online or in stores are protein-bound calcium—which is not safe. This is because protein-bound calcium can calcify in the body and clog up your vascular systems, increasing the risk of other illnesses and diseases.
TESTIMONIAL – WHAT OUR CUSTOMER SAYS ABOUT MARAH NATURAL
MARAH-CEL AND NEO-CEL: SAFELY STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES
Marah Natural's SAC Formulation Technology is a physiologically active ionic calcium that is safe to use. Made from sustainably harvested oyster shells, sourced locally in British Columbia, it is nature’s answer to increasing your body’s calcium level naturally.
Marah-Cel: Marah Natural’s Marah-Cel includes the highest purity of SAC Formulation Technology—an approximately 7-to-8-fold increase in titer compared to Neo-Cel. The high potency of SAC Formulation Technology releases calcium ions and initiates the bone-building and repair process, reducing the concentration of substances and pathogens, and leading to a reduction in calcium secretion from the bones.
Neo-Cel: SAC Formulation Technology delivers calcium ions directly into the bloodstream, triggering the body’s natural responses to balance hormones and initiate a cascade of bone tissue formation and repair processes.
*We recommend Neo-Cel for calcium level maintenance and prevention.
Here at Marah Natural, we hold health at our core and do all we can to ensure you lead a healthy life with healthy bones. For the finite time we have on Earth, we want everyone’s bodies to be in tip-top shape. That way you can do more of the things you love.
Nurture your bone health and look forward to a strong, promising future.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.