Natural Remedies for Osteoporosis: What Works and What Doesn’t

Natural Remedies

The Basics on

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide, but many are unaware that natural remedies are an excellent way to manage and improve symptoms. Before looking into what treatments work, it’s important to understand the basics of what osteoporosis is and how it works.

Understanding Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones weaken due to a decrease in bone mass, making them more prone to breakage. This can cause pain and disability, and is especially common in postmenopausal women. Other risk factors include a lack of calcium and vitamin D, current or past medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or chronic kidney disease, and a family history of the disease.

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Natural Remedies for Osteoporosis

Fortunately, there are many natural treatments that can help manage and prevent osteoporosis. Here are some of the best remedies for strengthening bones:

Exercise:

Regular exercise can help improve bone mass, balance and coordination, and even reduce pain. Weight-bearing exercises like walking, running, and lifting weights will help strengthen bones and should be done regularly. Non-weight-bearing activities like swimming and biking can also be beneficial.

Nutrition:

Eating a balanced diet containing foods that are high in calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and boron will help maintain bone health. Foods like fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and dairy products are some of the best sources of these essential nutrients.

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Vitamin Supplements:

Taking supplements of vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and potassium can help improve bone health. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist before taking any supplements, as too much of certain vitamins can be dangerous.

Herbal Remedies:

Herbal and homeopathic remedies are often recommended for osteoporosis. But, there is limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. Some of the herbs commonly used include red clover, horsetail, and dandelion.

What Doesn’t Work for Osteoporosis

Be aware that many so-called treatments for osteoporosis are actually ineffective, or worse, dangerous. Here are some of the treatments that don’t work for osteoporosis:

Steroid Drugs:

Steroid drugs like glucocorticoids (prednisone) and anabolic steroids, can increase bone mass by reducing inflammation and improving bone turnover. But, these drugs can also increase the risk of osteonecrosis and fractures, so they should be avoided.

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Hormones:

Hormone treatments like estrogen and testosterone, are often prescribed for osteoporosis. But, they can also increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots, so they should be avoided.

Ionic Foot Baths:

Ionic foot baths claim to improve bone health by releasing toxins into the body, but there is no evidence to support their effectiveness.

Conclusion

Natural remedies can be a great way to manage and improve symptoms of osteoporosis. Exercise, nutrition, and vitamin supplements can help strengthen bones, but make sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. And, be aware that some treatments like steroid drugs and hormone therapies, can be dangerous and should be avoided.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Natural Remedies, Exercise, Nutrition, Vitamin Supplements, Herbal Remedies, Steroid Drugs, Hormones, Ionic Foot Baths