·  Hormonal conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes or
   the use of medications like corticosteroids.

·  Immobility or insufficient weight bearing exercise

·  Dietary deficiencies in protein and minerals

·  Insufficient vitamin D intake and production

·  Excess body acidity

Luckily there are many things that one can do to reduce the impact of the factors mentioned above:

Hyperthyroidism depletes bone density because the body is in a metabolic state that cannot be supported by the individual’s nutrient intake.  Thus the body depletes the mineral stores in the bone to compensate.  Diabetes causes bone loss because the body is metabolizing fats and protein for energy, leaving no protein to support body tissues like bone.  The breakdown of these products also increases body acidity and calcium is pulled from the bone to buffer the acidity. Corticosteroids decrease bone density by depleting bone-building nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.  By using natural therapies to prevent and treat these conditions your bones can stay in tiptop shape.

Stay active to increase your bone health.  Immobility and insufficient weight bearing exercise cause bone loss.  Gravity puts a stress on the bone and the body responds by increasing the density of the bone.

Exercising in youth actually increases bone density above normal and exercise throughout life protects against bone loss.  Maintain appropriate weight because people that are underweight also are at a greater risk for osteoporosis.  Their bones are not stressed as much as the bones of people who are of normal weight.

A healthy diet, with sufficient protein intake, is one protective factor against bone loss.  Dietary deficiencies of protein cause bone loss because the bone is constantly remodelling itself.  Up to 7% of our bone mass is turned over every week.

Choose lean meats, fermented dairy products and legumes to fill your daily protein requirements.  Supplement with protein powder or amino acid complex if you cannot consume enough protein.

There are a multitude of minerals that form the matrix of the bone.  Deficiency in any one of these nutrients can lead to bone loss.  Minerals can be lost in the cooking process so eat your vegetables and fruits raw or lightly steamed.  Drink filtered or spring water.  If you drink reverse osmosis or distilled water replace the missing minerals with a supplement.

Vitamin D helps bring calcium into the bone.  It is one of the fat-soluble vitamins that are poorly absorbed through the digestive process as we age.  In areas away from the equator, skin production of vitamin D is limited during certain times of the year.  Eating vitamin D rich foods like fish and egg yolks, and taking vitamin D supplements, will maintain your bone density.

The body’s Acid/Alkali balance plays an important role in bone health.  Acid is produced in the body through normal metabolic processes.  Calcium is the major body buffer and is taken from the bone when intake of calcium is insufficient.  Many people are acidic because they use substances that must be buffered by the body.  Eliminating the use of caffeine, tobacco, and carbonated drinks decreases the acidic load on the body.  Stress also increases acidity and may be a factor in bone loss.

During pregnancy the mother’s high metabolic state allows the building of her own body tissues as well as those of the fetus.  This is a time when a woman can make improvements to her bone density.  The important thing to remember is that only excess nutrients will be used this way.  If the mother is malnourished during pregnancy than nutrients will be stripped from the body, including the bones.

Listed below are some of the nutrients and supplements that improve bone composition.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).