Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” This condition is the result of excessive bone loss and too little bone formation in the matrix. Among the general population, bone density starts decreasing after the age of 30 (1). However, it is after 50 that bones become more fragile, as the sex hormone estrogen decreases in women (1).

Men are more at risk by the age of 65. In the early stages of osteoporosis, a person may develop a stooped position or feel that they have shrunk. There are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis until a fracture happens with little to no reason.

Today, the gold standard to assess bone health is a bone mineral density test. A T-score measures the amount of minerals present in the bone. A T-score above -1 means normal bone density, while a T-score below or at -2.5 means you have osteoporosis.

Many factors can influence bone density. Risk factors such as genetics, use of medications, or past radiation cannot be changed. But others factors can be modified to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

The following elements play a major role in bone health: vitamin D intake, exercise, and diet.

Vitamin D is critical for building strong bones. Lack of sun exposure and inadequate dietary intake can cause vitamin D deficiency.

There is little evidence that vitamin D alone can prevent fractures. But when taken with calcium supplements, it may help prevent any type of fractures (2).

Vitamin D is best absorbed in a liquid form, because it is lipophilic. A blood test can accurately determine whether you are deficient in vitamin D or not. Depending on the results, daily vitamin D intake can range from 1000 to 5000 IU/d (8).

Calcium supplementation has been very popular for the past several years. Unfortunately, studies have shown that women are more at risk of cardiovascular diseases when taking calcium (7). In light of these findings, taking a cheap supplement can actually do more harm than good.

When choosing a supplement, not all natural products are equal. It is crucial to take a form of calcium that can be absorbed by the body. Calcium extracted from limestone is not well-absorbed. It can cause stone formation in the kidneys or the gall bladder (10). Calcium coming from plants, though, is more easily assimilated.

Plant-based calcium can be found in watercress, broccoli, and rhubarb (8). Other popular sources are from dairy products like milk and cheese. A bone soup taken on a weekly basis can provide enough nutrients to build a strong skeletal matrix.

Since bones are also made of other elements, a daily intake of trace minerals can also be beneficial. In most cases, minerals are better absorbed from a food source. Choosing a good source of calcium and trace minerals is crucial for bone health.

The most recent studies have shown that exercise can have a positive impact on bone density. People engaging in workouts such as strength training and aerobics can see 3.2% less bone loss than those who do not (3). In other words, taking a supplement is not enough.

Physical activities like walking and weight lifting also play an important role. Exercise draws minerals from the bloodstream into the bone. That is why exercise should be a part of the treatment plan for any patient suffering from osteoporosis.

Naturopaths favor a plant-based diet because it protects the body from mineral loss. Many clinical studies have shown that an acidic diet is the root cause of osteoporosis (9).

The pH of your blood needs to be constantly maintained at about 7.365. If blood pH becomes too acidic, the body will have to draw minerals from the bones to balance it. Thus, eating red meat and junk food can cause osteoporosis in the long run.

According to the Journal of Nutrition, a diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce the rate of bone turnover (6). A plant-based diet also increases mineral absorption. There is no risk associated with kidney stone formation. Minerals coming from a food source are not harmful.

Herbs like red clover, stinging nettle, and oat straw can treat osteoporosis (5). These plants have a high content of minerals which can be absorbed by the body. Taken in the form of tea, they are beneficial for patients with osteoporosis (5).

A Naturopathic Treatment Plan:

Optimizing mineral absorption is crucial in treating osteoporosis. This condition is best treated with a plant-based diet to reduce acidity in the blood. In doing this, we treat the root cause of osteoporosis.

Supplementing vitamin D will provide optimal absorption of calcium. Finally, a balanced exercise regimen keeps the bone matrix strong. Bones are made up of living cells that have the capacity to re-grow if the right conditions are met.

There are so many options available to prevent and treat osteoporosis. The key is to develop an individualized treatment plan that meets the needs of each patient.

Naturopathic doctors are trained to look at this condition from a holistic perspective. Through this approach, every facet of the condition is carefully looked at.