Bone Support: Everything You Should Know About These Nutrients

Our bones naturally degrade as we

age. That’s part of why osteoporosis affects such a wide population of Americans over 50, but it doesn’t have to be a guarantee.

While the condition is rarely diagnosed until a bone break or fracture occurs, we can slow this process and maintain mobility as we age by addressing nutrient deficiencies that expedite bone loss.

Meet the 3 Nutrients Your Bones Need to Thrive

CALCIUM

While often touted for its ability to build strong bones, most people don’t know that calcium actually slows the bone loss process, rather than reversing it.

When calcium deficiencies are addressed, we can expect benefits like accelerated fracture healing and osteoporosis prevention, but deficiencies can be hard to spot on bloodwork. That’s because the body will leach calcium from bones to facilitate heart, muscle, cell, and nerve function first.

Conservative estimates place 42% of Americans below the threshold of recommended daily calcium intake.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D isn’t actually a vitamin! These fat-soluble secosteroids produced by our bodies are hormones that play a pivotal role in wellness.

Low vitamin D levels are associated with osteoporosis, bone demineralization, arthritis and chronic pain, and increased risk of falls and fractures. Beyond our bones, vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to the development or exacerbation of depression, dementia, muscle atrophy, and more.

Yet a staggering 95% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D.

MAGNESIUM

Our bodies only need small amounts of magnesium, but this mineral is responsible for big things. As a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic processes, from DNA synthesis and energy production to nerve function and muscle health, magnesium affects our whole body.

Without enough magnesium, we’re at a higher risk for not only bone loss, osteopenia, inflammation, and bone and joint pain, but also depression, anxiety, and incident dementia.

Roughly half of the American population isn’t getting enough magnesium from their diets.

Your bones are more than just scaffolding,

they’re a living, metabolically active organ, constantly breaking down and rebuilding through a process called remodeling.

Ignoring bone health can lead to issues in the remodeling function, resulting in weakened bones and an increased risk of fractures and chronic pain.

And, because bone mass actually peaks at age 30, the earlier you start focusing on bone health, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

The simplest and most cost-effective way to get the nutrient levels your bones and joints need to operate properly is through supplementation, but there are ways to keep your bones strong through lifestyle changes.

Ready to learn more about what your bones need? Chat with one of our experts today.