Weekly Articles-May 17, 2013

The Secret for Strong Bones

Most people are familiar with the “French Paradox.” Despite the rich foods and wine enjoyed by the people of France, they have excellent cardiovascular health and slim waistlines. The French have another secret – a way to prevent osteoporosis and weak bones. It’s not calcium or prescription drugs – it’s silica.

Silica is an amazing, unsung hero. It helps provide the structure of our bodies and helps other minerals absorb properly, keeping the bone-building process running smoothly – bringing more calcium into the bones, and allowing less calcium to leach away from the bones.

French research is far ahead of us on this. Silica is one of the most popular bone-building supplements in Europe. In fact, the silica I recommend is THE bone-building supplement in France. It actually improves calcium absorption into the bones by 50%!

This critical trace mineral, and choosing the right supplemental form, is the subject of this Terry Talks Nutrition®.

Weak Bones – Drugs Don’t Help

Anyone dealing with osteoporosis, or just trying to get ahead of it, needs to be very cautious about the approach they take to building strong bones. Those highly-advertised prescription drugs don’t work. In fact, they’ve been shown to make the problem much worse, especially the “one pill per month” bisphosphonate drugs. That’s because they work on a flawed idea of bone building.

Normally, specialized cells called “osteoblasts” add fresh minerals (primarily calcium, but others, too) to bone and “osteoclasts” remove older bone tissue by breaking down the minerals and reabsorbing them into the bloodstream. The two processes are crucial for health and intricately interlinked.

Bisphosphonates stop the process of osteoclasts from breaking down minerals. That, in turn, stops the signal for new minerals to come into the bone. So you could say that initially they stop calcium and other minerals from leaving the bones. The problem is, they also completely stop the signal that alerts the body to rebuild bone.

The result? Brittle bones that aren’t being refreshed with the fresh minerals they need. That’s why people taking these drugs may wind up with fractures in the femur – normally one of the strongest bones in the body.

Our bodies need to have the full, natural process – bones being built with new minerals while old minerals are reabsorbed into the blood stream. We need to build more and lose less.

What About Dietary Sources of Silica?

There are dietary sources of silica, but they don’t yield much, and I wouldn’t rely on them for building strong bones. You need at least 10 to 25 mg of silica daily just to prevent a deficiency. You need about 30 to 40 mg to actually build healthy bones.

But most food sources aren’t going to get you close to that. That’s because the absorption from those sources is very limited, due to silica’s insoluble form and the way it is bound to fiber.

For example, bananas contain a significant amount of silica, but less than 2% of it is actually absorbed. In fact, eating even 50 bananas provides only about 8 mg of absorbed silica.

Plus, many of the best food sources of silica come from unrefined food, which is in short supply in the typical diet. After all, silica is mostly found in the fiber portions of grains, and the skins of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, most of that gets milled or peeled away before the food is consumed.

The truth is, researchers have known about the importance of silica for some time now. Scientific tests have shown that when chickens were given silica-deficient diets, their bone structure becomes weak and deformed. On the other hand, when they are provided with silica-rich diets, their bones mineralize at a much faster rate.

The Silica I Recommend

So it’s obvious from the lack of good food sources that you’re going to need a supplemental source of silica. But not every source is the same.

The silica I recommend is an organic ingredient obtained from the above-ground parts of the spring horsetail (Equisetum arvense) plant. In a special process, the silica in the plant is extracted still attached to the plant bioflavonoids that support its activity in the body. At the same time, this gentle process screens out all the harsh, abrasive, insoluble and unnecessary substances also found in horsetail.

This unique botanical silica is then blended with a specific marine oil to enhance absorption, beneficial effects, and cell membrane penetration of the active compounds. This form of silica is extremely soluble. Organic silica also has positive effects on the formation of collagen, which is a major component of living bone tissue. That’s why silica – provided in the right form – is so valuable for stabilizing osteoporosis and osteopenia, and helping with other bone health issues as well.

Case Studies – This Silica Shows Real World Results!

There have been some amazing case studies with this silica.

In one, a 72-year-old woman was suffering from knee pain for over a year. A blood test showed that her calcium levels were below normal, and that she had elevated phosphate levels, which indicate bone-resorbing osteoclast activity. In other words, her bones were breaking down faster than they could be built up.

Although she had been taking calcium and pain-relievers, her symptoms didn’t improve. Her doctor recommended this specialized silica. After one month, she could walk for 1 kilometer. After two months, she could walk without stopping for a break and her pain was gone!

Her doctor attributed this to the way that this specialized silica, along with the natural trace minerals the formula provides, absorbs into the cartilage and bone tissue, making them stronger.

Other case studies of women with decreasing bone density showed great results, too. In one, a 56-year-old woman used this specialized silica for 6 months. By the end of the treatment, the measurements of her lumbar spine and neck of the femur showed an increase of 12.3%. In another, a 64-year-old woman also used this silica for 6 months and showed an increase of lumbar spine and femur density of 6.3%.

And, in yet another case study, a man with shoulder pain so severe he had difficulty dressing himself, had been taking pain relievers, but had to stop – they caused terrible stomach upset. His practitioner recommended this specialized silica, and just 3 months later, his range of motion returned and he enjoys daily walks again.

Strong Scientific and Clinical Results!

Aside from those great case studies, the best thing about the silica I recommend is that it has excellent scientific and clinical studies to back it up as well. Research has found that this silica increased the growth of collagen by over 50%, helping create a better structure for calcium in the bones.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 65 postmenopausal women were provided this specialized silica for 12 months to test its effects on bone mineralization. The study measured the biomarker CTX, which is associated with the process of bone resorption. The study showed lower CTX activity – a very positive thing. The silica allowed less bone breakdown, slowing the process, but not artificially stopping it, either.

Another study involved 150 individuals who were suffering from an array of bone pathologies, including fractures, osteoporosis, and other traumatic stresses to their bones. Others had trouble with what is known as “articular pathologies” – problems with mobility and joint articulation due to arthritis or other issues.

The results were astounding. For those with bone pathologies, there was a much faster bone building activity, but it was balanced, too, with no build-up of minerals. Additionally, in just 15 days, 80% of the participants noticed decreased pain. Those with articular pathologies noticed a significant difference after 6 weeks.

A study of patients receiving dental implants showed that the specialized silica helped heal the tissue of the jaw and gums and helped keep the jawbone matrix stable during the surgeries. There was also no reported pain, inflammation, or implant loss. The integration of the dental implants was considered “excellent”.

Beyond Bones – Silica for Collagen, Hair, and Skin

You also need silica for collagen – the material that literally holds us together. How does that work? Well, imagine building a brick wall. The calcium is the brick, but the collagen is the mortar that holds it together, and without silica, no collagen would be made.

Collagen – the main protein in the body – is clearly important for bones, but it also helps connect the body. And because this specialized silica helps build collagen, it does a lot more than strengthen bones and joints. It also reinforces the structure of hair and skin. In fact, some of the highest concentrations of silica are in the nails, hair, and skin.

That’s because silica ensures the connection between collagen and proteoglycans. Proteoglycans make links with collagen and are major components of the space between cells. They make collagen-rich structures more resilient and bind water for better hydration. You notice the results as firmer, less wrinkled skin, healthier nails, and stronger, lustrous hair.

Start Taking Silica Today!

When it comes to building healthy bones, you can’t start too early. Whether you’re 23 or 83, you should begin your silica regimen today. This amazing mineral – a specialized form of silica from an easily absorbed plant source – will help you build bone density and build collagen to keep your hair, skin, nails, and joints healthy, too.

Tags: Bone and Joint Health, bone density, bones, boron, calcium, fracture, fructoborate, magnesium, natto, natto K, osteoarthritis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteopenia, osteoporosis, Silica, strontium, vitamin D, Vitamin D3, vitamin K

Newsletter - May 17, 2013

We’ve all heard that strong bones need calcium, but that mineral alone isn’t enough. In fact, there’s a major building block of strong bones that is almost completely absent from our diets.

Tags: bone density, bones, boron, calcium, fracture, fructoborate, magnesium, natto, natto K, osteoarthritis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteopenia, osteoporosis, Silica, strontium, vitamin D, Vitamin D3, vitamin K

Newsletter - August 24, 2012

Most of the time when we think of osteoporosis, we only think it applies to the elderly. It doesn’t. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget that bones are living tissue. Bone structure is being renewed all the time, like an around-the-clock remodeling project. All of this happens without us ever being aware of it – until something goes wrong. Most American adults have no idea of the impact osteoporosis has on health, disability and premature death. In a small in-depth study reported in the Journal of Rheumatology in 2005, researchers interviewed older adults to “take the pulse” of public knowledge regarding osteoporosis and its seriousness. As the researchers conducted interviews, they discovered that while respondents had heard of the term “osteoporosis,” many had a very limited view of what it was, though they were concerned about the cost, side effects, and interactions of prescription drugs for osteoarthritis. In fact, prescription drugs for osteoarthritis can have some horrendous side effects. As we see in health headlines all the time, in some cases, they can actually increase fracture risk! Never wait to take care of your bones. You don’t want to put off prevention of osteoporosis until it’s too late. Bones need your support every day of your life, starting from birth. However, regardless of your level of bone health (or lack of same) there are nutrients you can use to improve your bone strength. In today’s Terry Talks Nutrition^®, we will shed light on some amazing bone-building supplements that can make a real difference in your life.

Tags: bone density, bones, boron, calcium, fracture, fructoborate, magnesium, natto, natto K, osteoarthritis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteopenia, osteoporosis, Silica, strontium, vitamin D, Vitamin D3, vitamin K

Weekly Articles-August 24, 2012

Most of the time when we think of osteoporosis, we only think it applies to the elderly. It doesn’t. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget that bones are living tissue. Bone structure is being renewed all the time, like an around-the-clock remodeling project. All of this happens without us ever being aware of it – until something goes wrong. Most American adults have no idea of the impact osteoporosis has on health, disability and premature death. In a small in-depth study reported in the Journal of Rheumatology in 2005, researchers interviewed older adults to “take the pulse” of public knowledge regarding osteoporosis and its seriousness. As the researchers conducted interviews, they discovered that while respondents had heard of the term “osteoporosis,” many had a very limited view of what it was, though they were concerned about the cost, side effects, and interactions of prescription drugs for osteoarthritis. In fact, prescription drugs for osteoarthritis can have some horrendous side effects. As we see in health headlines all the time, in some cases, they can actually increase fracture risk! Never wait to take care of your bones. You don’t want to put off prevention of osteoporosis until it’s too late. Bones need your support every day of your life, starting from birth. However, regardless of your level of bone health (or lack of same) there are nutrients you can use to improve your bone strength. In today’s Terry Talks Nutrition^®, we will shed light on some amazing bone-building supplements that can make a real difference in your life.

It’s Never Too Early to Build Bone Strength
Normally, specialized cells called “osteoblasts” add fresh minerals (primarily calcium, but others, too) to bone and “osteoclasts” remove older bone tissue by breaking down the minerals and reabsorbing them into the bloodstream. The two processes are crucial for health and intricately interlinked. But they must be supported with the right nutrients, and this is where we usually fall short. The beginnings of bone destruction are usually not painful, so a large percentage of the damage is already done before it is detected. Bone health is like a bank account. The more you deposit early in life, the more you will have to draw from throughout your lifetime. If the withdrawals in our bone account outpace the deposits, we will have less reserve to help our bones survive in later decades.

Food Choices Can Harm Bones
Lifestyle has a tremendous impact on bone health. To begin with, the body must maintain a balance between acidity and alkalinity of the blood. If the blood is too acid, the body releases alkaline minerals from the bone to compensate. What we eat makes a big difference. Foods that are more alkaline-forming (like green leafy vegetables amongst others) protect against excessive acidity of the blood, which in turn protects the minerals in your skeleton. Just because a food is acidic doesn’t mean it is acid forming. Some of the biggest offenders are:

• Sugar
• Processed meat
• Soft drinks
• Grains, like bread and pasta

Avoid these foods to keep your bones healthy, as all of these food choices tend to pull calcium from soft tissue and bones. For the body to maintain a healthy alkaline nature, it uses calcium to buffer against excessive acidity. And that simple activity is one of the most common major factors in the development of osteoporosis. Even though milk has been fortified with calcium and vitamin D, most people don’t drink enough of it (many people simply don’t like the taste, have health issues with dairy, or have a problem with lactose) to make a difference.

Natural Supplement Ingredients Preserve Bone Health
Let’s look at the best ingredients to build a foundation for bone health. While you definitely need a blend of calcium and magnesium, you don’t necessarily need ‘mega-doses’ of these minerals. I have found that high levels of calcium are neither necessary nor productive. It’s more important to have a moderate intake of calcium and magnesium with other nutritional factors that increase bioavailability and absorption. Supplements that contain just calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are grossly lacking several very critical nutrients that the body requires to increase bone density and health. Supplements that contain just calcium alone are in fact dangerous for your heart health. I recommend a combination of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D-3, K-1 and K-2, silicon, boron, zinc, copper and manganese complimented with a probiotic (the “good bacteria” that helps us absorb nutrients) such as Bacillus coagulans which provides excellent support for bone health and increased bone density. We’ll take a closer look at just a few of them.

Quality of Calcium is Crucial – not Quantity.
Calcium and magnesium should be in an excellent ratio of approximately 2:1. I personally find calcium citrate and calcium malate to be the most easily absorbable forms of calcium. Remember, quantity is not as important as the quality. For example, only 10% of calcium carbonate can be absorbed while 40% of calcium citrate is absorbable. Also, the quantity of calcium can be substantially lowered when it is combined with many of the accessory nutrients that help provide better calcium absorption. I like to recommend a moderate level of calcium in the 400-600 mg range per day instead of the excessive 1,000-1,500 mg as advised by some nutritionists. Too high a calcium intake can suppress the essential vitamin D circulating in our bloodstream. Vitamin D is crucial in maintaining healthy bones, (and cellular health overall), so by overdoing it with too much calcium, you may actually undermine the natural process of bone building in the body.

Vitamin D-3 Significantly Improves Bone Density
I think it’s great that vitamin D is finally getting the credit it deserves for helping protect the immune system, and to prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s, but it is perhaps best known for building bone density. Again, it’s never too early to start boosting your vitamin D intake. As it is with so many other nutrients, it’s common for older individuals to be deficient in vitamin D. For example, a recent study examined serum vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women. As it turned out, 53% percent of the women were deficient in vitamin D, and only 17% had sufficient blood levels of the nutrient. Joint pain and joint swelling were reported, (74% and 34%, respectively). Typically, those with the lowest levels of vitamin D showed a higher average joint pain score. In other findings, researchers in Romania who provided bread fortified with vitamin D and calcium on a daily basis to elderly nursing home patients reported a 28% increase in lumbar bone mineral density which far surpasses the 8% increase in bone mass density typically achieved with bone building drugs. We now know that higher levels of vitamin D in our diet have a greater potential for better health and longevity and a big part of that is increased bone density.

Vitamin K-2 from Natto
This vitamin is the optimal bone health supplement. This natural vitamin K-2, also called menaquinone, is extracted from the Japanese fermented food, natto. This unique form of vitamin K has special properties beyond that of traditional vitamin K. This very effective vitamin is essential for the body to utilize calcium to build healthy bone tissue. It activates osteocalcin, a protein required to bind calcium to the mineral matrix thus strengthening the bones. K-2 also helps the body prevent arterial calcification, actually lowering the risk of vascular damage. In other words, it helps calcium absorb into the bones and out of the arteries. Therefore, it is not only an incredible bone supplement, it is a great heart health supplement as well!

Fructoborate
Boron keeps bone and joint building activity proceeding normally. However, boron supplementation isn’t always very beneficial, because boron isn’t selective about molecular attachment in the body. This means it is not specific in targeting tissues. Boron in plants is naturally combined with other stable compounds that help boron absorb target the tissues that need it most. Boron carbohydrate complexes like fructoborate are such a combination. Fructoborate has been clinically shown to reduce joint pain in individuals suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis. This amazing boron complex also reduced joint pain, stiffness and inflexibility. Plus, fructoborate helps the body absorb vitamin D much better as well.

Strontium: A Critical Element for Strong Bones
Strontium isn’t generally well known as a supplement ingredient, but it should be. This trace element can have a tremendous effect in positively changing bone health and bone density. In fact, it can fight and possibly even reverse osteoporosis. Strontium citrate, (not to be confused with strontium 90, the toxic radioactive form), has been safely used as a medicinal substance for over 100 years. As late as 1955, strontium compounds were still listed in the dispensary of the United States of America and were used therapeutically here and in Europe. Mayo Clinic researchers noted clinical and x-ray improvement in severe osteoporosis with strontium lactate. Researchers reported significant microscopic improvement in bone with the use of strontium carbonate. My good friend, Dr. Jonathan Wright, observed significant improvement in the bone density of his patients who used strontium citrate, which of the several forms available, is the most easily absorbed by the body. In 2004, the results of a three year randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study using 2 grams of strontium daily were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and were impressive: women suffering from osteoporosis experienced a 41% reduction in risk of a vertebral fracture compared to the placebo group. Overall vertebrae (bones that make up the spinal column) density in the strontium group increased 6.8% but there was a 1.3% decrease in the placebo group. Strontium citrate is very safe and non-toxic. The women in the studies using 2 grams of strontium per day experienced no significant side effects. I’d say that the only concern when using strontium is that it should be taken separated by at least two hours from your calcium supplement. Strontium and calcium fight for the same pathway in the body, and strontium will always win. Nonetheless, be sure to take your supplement that contains calcium, too. As for strontium citrate dosage, I would suggest taking 680 mg once daily.

Silica – Much More Valuable Than We Think
Silica is known for healthy skin, shiny hair, and beautiful nails – but it is also a critical trace mineral that has an impact on bone health and bone density as well. That is because all these systems depend upon collagen for strength, and silica is a powerful part of collagen generation. Silica also improves calcium absorption into the bones by 50%. We don’t give silica the credit it deserves. There would be no life without silica. It helps provide the structure of our bodies and helps other minerals absorb properly. No silica would mean no skin, no bones, no nails, no form — in other words, no YOU. According to research conducted at Columbia University, silica is an essential nutrient and must be supplied continuously from food sources. Silica plays an important role in a multitude of body functions and has a direct relationship to calcium and mineral absorption. The silica I recommend is an organic ingredient obtained from the above-ground parts of the spring horsetail (Equisetum arvense) plant. In a special process, the silica in the plant is extracted still attached to the plant bioflavonoids that support its activity in the body. At the same time, all the harsh and potentially harmful substances are screened out using this gentle process. This unique botanical silica is then blended with a specific marine oil to enhance absorption, beneficial effects, and cell membrane penetration of the active compounds. This form of silica is extremely soluble and virtually 100% bioavailable for the body. Organic silica also has positive effects on the formation of collagen, too, which is a major component of living bone tissue. That’s why silica – provided in the right form – is so valuable for stabilizing osteoporosis and osteopenia, and helping with other bone health issues as well.

You can have healthy, strong bones throughout your life, but it depends on the choices you make right now. First, focus on a diet of natural foods – not processed –rich in proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates (and of those, only a small fraction of your daily intake), and eliminate sugars, sodas, or other acidic foods. This can do a lot to strengthen your bones. Secondly – the earlier the better — maintain a healthy calcium and magnesium level with accessory bone health nutrients found in formula #1. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, I would recommend formula #1 and formula #2, strontium citrate. Organic silica can be added to either regimen to increase bone density and bone health to optimal levels. It’s never too early to build healthy bones – but it’s never too late, either. Start with your diet and the appropriate formulas today, and you’ll have the nutrients to keep your bones strong . . . for life.

Tags: Bone and Joint Health, bone density, bones, boron, calcium, fracture, fructoborate, magnesium, natto, natto K, osteoarthritis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteopenia, osteoporosis, Silica, strontium, vitamin D, Vitamin D3, vitamin K

Newsletter - July 1, 2011

Tags: bone density, bones, boron, calcium, fracture, fructoborate, magnesium, natto, natto K, osteoarthritis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteopenia, osteoporosis, Silica, strontium, vitamin D, Vitamin D3, vitamin K