Bone and Joint Strengtheners
Definition
A bone & joint strengthener is a substance that play a key role in helping maintain bones and joints health.
Bones Structure
Many people make it to adulthood believing that calcium (usually in the form of lots of milk!) is the way to achieve strong bones. That is the simple approach: unfortunately, the true story is a lot more complicated. Bones have numerous components which are just as important to their optimum health as calcium.
Now bring joints into the equation and the reality becomes even more complex. Where joints are concerned, it is accurate to say that calcium takes a back seat to some of the other nutrients.
Bone cells are actually very active and the cells in bones are continuously exchanging minerals and other substances with other parts of the body. This exchange is needed in order for the bones to remain healthy. Bones are made up of 70% minerals and 30% organics, including collagen and non-collagen proteins. The mineral matrix of the bones mainly consists of hydroxyapatite, which is a substance composed mostly of calcium and phosphorous.
Too many phosphates in a person's diet can disrupt the delicate balance of calcium and phosphorous and be detrimental to the bones. A typical negative factor in many diets in this regard is the phosphoric acid which is found in many soft drinks.
Mineral Supplements & Vitamins
Several mineral supplements are available to aid in the integrity of the bones. They include:
- Calcium
- Phosphorous
- Boron
- Magnesium
- Silicon
- In lesser amounts, zinc, copper and manganese
When it comes to vitamin supplements for bones, vitamin D is important because calcium is absorbed more efficiently into bones when the body is receiving supplements of vitamin D. Vitamin K is necessary in the production of osteocalcin, which is a highly-important non-collagen protein found in bones.
Many women become painfully aware that the balance of minerals in the bones can be problematic during and after menopause. During this phase of a woman's life, cortical bone loss may be as high as 2 or 3 percent per year.
Healthy joints are necessary to perform every physical act undertaken by the human body, from eating to picking up a child. While the joints may seem simple, they are actually vulnerable and complex. Osteoarthritis, a condition which afflicts millions of people, is marked by stiffness, swelling and debilitating pain. Several research studies have shown that the proper supplements can ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Joints need a more complex blend of nutrients. The place where most bones come together (called the synovial cavity) is filled with a fluid called synovial fluid and whose composition is imperative to the proper health of the joints.
High-quality water in adequate quantities is also essential to joint health.
Adding to the stability of the cartilage which is found in the joint cavities is also of great importance. Some of the more beneficial supplements for these areas include:
- Glucosamine sulfate
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Dermatin sulfate
- Keratin sulfate
Connective tissue in joints can also require supplements. Proline, vitamin C and lysine are frequently included in formulas meant to strengthen joints.
The bottom line is that there are supplements available to ease the effects of aging on the bones and joints and to aid in strengthening these important body parts.
Posted in Bone and Joint Strengtheners
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