Osteoporosis

It is common knowledge that calcium and vitamin D work together to help prevent osteoporosis. But what about many other essential minerals and nutrients needed for bone health? And which kind of calcium is really the best? Many people are surprised to learn, it is probably not the kind they are taking on a regular basis.

The human skeleton is the single largest organ system in the body. Composed of a complex mix of organic proteins and inorganic mineral crystals, bones are much more than just structural supports. They are the body's only reservoir of minerals like calcium and phosphorus, critical for virtually every other organ system. The bones are also highly sensitive to hormonal changes. During puberty, when hormone levels surge in both boys and girls, bones are stimulated to grow rapidly as teenagers become full-sized adults. Thus, it is not really surprising that in later years, as hormone levels decline, bones become vulnerable.

Maintaining healthy bones goes far beyond calcium and vitamin D, although these are vital. A healthy bone matrix also relies on vitamins and minerals that are rarely mentioned in the context of osteoporosis, including zinc, boron, copper, magnesium, vitamin K, silicon, folic acid and others. This information is vital to 10 million people, including 2 million men, known to suffer from osteoporosis in India.

Causes of Osteoporosis : Bone Remodeling

Osteoporosis is defined as a reduction of bone mass or bone density, which causes bones to become brittle and fragile. People afflicted with osteoporosis are at increased risk of a range of fractures, including fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. Bone is a living tissue comprising both organic protein matrix (30%) and various minerals (70%). Throughout life, cells known as osteoblasts construct bone matrix and fill it with calcium. At the same time, cells called osteoclasts work just as busily to tear down and resorb the bone. This fine balance is regulated by many factors, including systemic hormones and cytokinines. Bone mass reaches its peak by the middle of third decade of life and plateaus for about 10 years. During this time bone turnover is constant, meaning bone formation approximately equals bone resorption.

As our bodies age, this fine balance is lost. As the relative hormone levels shift in midlife more drastically in women than in men the osteoclasts gain upper hand, and bone mass begins dwindling. Some bone is already being lost by the time, women reach menopause, but the rate of loss increases as much as tenfold during first six years after menopause. This is the essence of primary osteoporosis or osteoporosis that occurs as a natural part of aging.

Role of Noni

Calcium and vitamin D are the cornerstones of osteoporosis prevention, yet they are not the whole story. Other minerals and nutrients that are vital to a healthy bone matrix include magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B12 and others, including zinc, manganese, boron, copper and silicon.

Calcium : Many studies showed that calcium reduces bone loss and suppresses bone turnover. Calcium intake is a foundation of osteoporosis prevention (Kasper et al 2005). Calcium requires presence of vitamin D for maximum absorption. Noni contains abundant quantity of calcium and that is in chealated form.

Magnesium : Magnesium plays essential roles in bone formation and helps calcium absorption. Magnesium deficiency is associated with osteoporosis and bone fragility and that adequate magnesium intake is associated with increased bone mineral density among men and women. Noni contains magnesium in rich quantity and prevents osteoporosis.

Phosphorus : Phosphorus regulates bone formation, inhibits bone resorption and also affects regulation of calcium metabolism. Although there are few a studies on the direct effect of phosphorus on bone mineral density, it is important to maintain a proper phosphorus-to-calcium intake because of effect, phosphorus has on calcium metabolism. Noni contains phosphorus 2 to 7 mg in 100 g of Noni. Regular use of Noni helps to prevent the later age origin of osteoporosis. Trace elements like copper, zinc, silicon and boron are also important for osteoporosis cases.

Vitamin D : Vitamin D, a hormone-like substance, promotes the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D is made by the skin after exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation.

Vitamin C and vitamin E : Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is essential for formation of collagen and the stimulation of proteins derived from osteoclasts. Vitamin C contributes to increased bone mineral density by improving makers of bone turnover and that increased antioxidant intake, especially vitamin E, is associated with reduced risk of hip fracture, especially among smokers. It is also necessary for the synthesise of steroid hormones and neurotransmitters, vital to bone formation. In addition, this vitamin makes iron more available. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and protects the body from cytokines, produced during bone breakdown. Studies demonstrate a significant decrease in antioxidant defenses in older women. Noni contains abundant quantity of these two antioxidant vitamins. Noni is helpful in osteoporosis cases.

Bioflavonoids : Bioflavonoids include rutin, quercetin, anthraquinone and terpene group. Noni is rich with bioflavonoids. These nutrients stimulate bone morphogenetic proteins, known to increase bone formation.

Vitamin B12 : Recent evidence implicated elevated homocysteine as a possible risk factor for osteoporosis, especially in women. Vitamin B12, together with folic acid and vitamin B6, lower homocysteine. Vitamin B12 has already been identified as a possible strategy to reduce risk of osteoporotic fracture, primarily because vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with decreased bone-mineral density in the hip. Noni contains Vitamin B12 and Folate in rich quantity and regular use of Noni prevents the unset of this dangerous condition of osteoporosis.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then

10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.