Osteoporosis, osteopenia, and low bone density are quite prevalent among our population to date. Specifically women. In fact, osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide.
Is it as simple as just eating a calcium rich diet and exercising? Not quite.
To understand why bone loss is becoming so much of an issue, we need to understand something called “ph” in our bodies.
To put it simply, PH refers to a “checks and balance” system in the body that seeks to keep the proper balance of acidity and alkalinity in the body. Certain aspects of our bodies mechanisms require an acidic environment, and certain require an alkaline environment. And to maintain proper balance very vital to our existence, even a matter of life or death.
One interesting way the body works in a protective manner is how the body breaks down calcium stored in the body in order to buffer a body that is too acidic.
99% of our calcium is stored in our bone, and calcium is an alkaline substance. In an acidic condition within the blood (such as someone who is highly inflamed from alcohol or processed foods), calcium is pulled from tissue (bone) to help raise the alkalinity back up in the blood. Yet as a result, bone loss has occurred, and overtime this can set the stage for low bone density overall, brittle bones, and onward to osteoporosis.
What causes the body’s blood to become too acidic?
Too much consumption of sugar and refined, overly processed foods
lack of exercise
poor sleep and chronic stress
alcohol and drug abuse
too frequent use of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and other medications
artificial ingredients, food dyes, and artificial sweeteners.
Sodas and juices
excess caffeine consumption
pesticide exposure
too much exposure to plastics like BPA and other synthetic substances
And the list goes on.
Knowing this, it’s imperative to provide ourselves with the proper lifestyle and nutrients to keep our bodies from robbing from their own resources.
So how exactly do we maximize our calcium absorption, and minimize the need for our body to rob from it’s own resources? I'm glad you asked!
Here are 4 Solutions to consider to keep a good ph and stave off any and all bone loss, while greatly enhancing calcium absorption from your foods.
Keep stomach acid levels adequate. Low stomach acid leads to poor absorption of calcium, and calcium actually needs that acidic environment to be well absorbed. Be sure you are adding a bit of apple cider vinegar to your water daily and aiming to drink warm beverages with meals, and cold beverages a part from meals.
Speaking of water, hydration status is essential as we have to make sure that the blood stays fluid enough to transport calcium for good cellular function. Aim for half your bodyweight in ounces of water each day, more if you are highly active or work in lots of blue-light.
Calcium loves magnesium and other minerals for maximizing absorption, as well as Vitamin D. Therefore eating a diet high in mineral-rich dark leafy greens and getting outside for ample sunlight when possible is also daily critical for our health.
Don’t forgo the fats! Fatty acids found in many good quality fats like avocados, butter, and coconut oil are necessary to transport calcium into the cell membrane for optimal cell function. So when cooking that calcium rich broccoli, be sure to cook it in a delicious grass-fed butter to intensify calcium absorption and transportation.
On a final note, think about the possible stressors in your world and make note of them. Chronic daily life stress, lack of sleep, exposure to harmful environmental pollutants, too much radiation and blue-light exposure all create damaging stress on the body leading to a very acidic existence. With dis-stress, comes dis-ease, and a body longing to live a rich, fulfilling life can’t do it with brittle bones.
Cut your body some slack and aim to implement as many of these solutions as possible to prevent and yes, even reverse bone loss, before it’s too late.