Yoga: Putting Practice into Osteoporosis

The so-called “fairer sex” has it rough.

If it isn’t an insatiable cocktail of monthly cycles and hormonal tidal waves, it’s the mere process of ageing that catches up with you. Of course, each person is different and therefore, the levels of effects are consistently varied. One of these effects is the possibility of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the thinning of bones that can lead to them becoming brittle and fractured if left alone. It can be a painful process, with one in three women over 50 years old suffering from resulting bone fractures.

Common reasons as to why osteoporosis happens are factors such as age, low body weight and smoking.

Does that mean having to cut that well-earned, trim waist?

Far from it.

With the simple application of yoga into your schedule, the risks of osteoporosis occurring – or worsening – are outdone significantly according do Dr. Loren Fishman, a medical director at Manhattan Physical Medicine.

According to the Huffington Post, Dr. Fishman commented that, following extensive research on the benefits of yoga for osteoporosis, “I know [yoga] can help because I’ve done the studies. […] “We did a bone mineral density (DEXA) scan, then we taught half of them the yoga, waited two years, and did another scan. And not only did these people not lose bone, they gained bone. The ones who didn’t do the yoga lost a little bone, as you would expect.”

These safe and effective methods take the stress out of your bones; by practising yoga, you maintain a healthy balance of physical and mental health without compromising your health. By thickening the density of your bones, you will find that you will be able to do more without the fear of harming yourself.

Tweak your lifestyle and add a little extra strength to your body. You might surprise yourself.

Yoga: Putting Practice into Osteoporosis

Categories: bone, bone conditions, bones, density, joints and bones, osteoporosis, yoga

Early Stages of Osteoarthritis? Don"t Exercise, Say Doctors

Arthritis is one of the body’s harshest scourges to deal with, with the capacity to become completely crippling if the individual doesn’t look after themselves. In the early stages, the new sensations of pain can become discomforting, especially if you were once such an active person.

According to Washington research, high-impact exercises may not be the best thing for you when dealing with the first signs of osteoarthritis.

Whilst it is related to arthritis, the nature of osteoarthritis is that the symptoms are caused by the joints rubbing against each other vigorously. The layer (the cartilage) between the joints is gradually ground away, causing severe amounts of pain.

“The cartilage is a stiff sponge, filled with fluid, and as we compress it, fluid has to percolate through these closely spaced GAG chains,” said Alan Grodzinsky, an MIT professor of biological, electrical and mechanical engineering and senior author of the study. “The GAG chains provide resistance to flow, so the water can`t get out of our cartilage instantly when we compress it. That pressurization at the nanoscale increases the stiffness of our cartilage to high-loading-rate activities,” he added.

The researchers found that the cartilage is far more susceptible to damage in heavy activities, such as running or jumping.

The issues arise from the aforementioned fluid, the molecules of which are in the scope of the researchers’ eyes.

The GAG chain creates the stiffening in the cartilage, which is caused by a variety between high-impact sport to doing absolutely little. They found that the molecules within the fluid changed, whilst comparing a normal, intact cartilage to that which was undergoing the first stages of osteoarthritis. Both were given an enzyme that destroyed the GAG chain.

The normal cartilage was able to absorb the fluid, whilst the other leaked it out.

“That`s what puts the collagen in trouble, because now this becomes a very floppy sponge, and if you load it at higher rates the collagen network can be damaged. At that point you begin an irreversible series of activities that can result in damage to the collagen and eventually osteoarthritis,” Grodzinsky said.

Early Stages of Osteoarthritis? Don"t Exercise, Say Doctors

Categories: activities, Arthritis, cartilage, Early Stages, exercise, fluid, gag chain, gag chains, high impact, joints and bones, Osteoarthritis, Research

How Good Bacteria Could Strengthen Your Bones

We’ve known about the supposed good bacteria known as probiotics for a long time. They’re touted as digestive aids, helping to reduce bloating and improve your digestive system naturally. They’re most commonly found in fermented dairy products like yoghurt. As we get older the amount of probiotics which our bodies naturally form in our intestines begins to diminish. This can weaken our response to disease and leave us open to infection. Regular boosters in the form of yoghurts can help to build these defences back up.

A recent study in the USA has shown that probiotics have another much less expected use. They’re good for maintaining the strength of your bones in a way which still isn’t fully understood. So far the study only involves mice but the findings are so positive that researchers will soon be expanding it to incorporate people too. This could be potentially great news for sufferers of osteoporosis as current medications can have some nasty side effects.

Osteoporosis is a condition which can be immeasurably damaging to you as you get older. A general weakening of the bones can lead to every bump or scrape being dangerous and any breaks you do sustain will take much longer to heal than they once did. Most doctors recommend calcium to patients with osteoporosis and while this can be helpful in strengthening bones it can also be damaging. In large quantities calcium can cause heart issues and it doesn’t work very well without vitamin D anyway.

In the coming months we could see radical new ways to treat osteoporosis. This could lead to a general improvement in the quality of life of patients who suffer from the disease. If you’re interested in seeing if probiotics work on easing the strains of osteoporosis then start eating more yoghurt! Let us know if it works in the comments section.

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How Good Bacteria Could Strengthen Your Bones

Categories: Bacteria, joints and bones, probiotics

Things to Watch Out For With Bone Conditions

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition which weakens the bones, making them more susceptible to fractures and breaks. It is also sometimes called brittle bone disease and can be very debilitating if you develop it, even leading to death in severe cases.

What is Osteopenia?

Osteopenia is the terms used for the state of your bones if they are not as healthy or strong as they are meant to be – when left untreated, this develops into osteoporosis.

Why are my bones not as strong as they are meant to be?

A variety of factors influence how strong your bones are, from your diet to your lifestyle, so this is something you should discuss with your GP who will have access to your medical records. Past health concerns may also impact the state of your bone health now.

Can anything be done?

Both of these conditions can be treated, with your bone health returning to normal or at least improving. You will be best off treating this condition as early as possible though, so if you think you are at risk you should speak to your GP as soon as possible.

How do I do this?

There are three factors to remember to improve the health of your bones. Taking supplements, weight bearing exercises and checking your hormone balance can all help.

Which supplements do I need?

Vitamin D and calcium are both renowned for their health-boosting properties when it comes to your bones. But bones need more nutrients than just these to be health – protein, vitamin C and zinc are also needed.

What constitutes weight-bearing exercise?

Weight bearing exercises such as yoga, tennis or dancing are all great for helping to keep your joints supple and healthy.

What hormone balance is needed for my bones?

Oestrogen and progesterone are both required for healthy bones – they help to slow the breakdown of bones and prevent further damage. Progesterone is great for building new bones to help keep them strong and healthy.

Will my GP prescribe drugs for Osteoporosis ?

Your GP will prescribe a mixture of calcium and vitamin D supplements to help boost your health and ensure your bones stay strong.

What about the drugs that slow the breakdown of bones?

If you have severe brittle bones, you may need stronger drugs which your GP will need to prescribe. Fosamax and other drugs have been known to show side effects so do your research first and foremost.

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Things to Watch Out For With Bone Conditions

Categories: healthy lifestyle, joints and bones, osteoporosis