Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density that can lead to serious fractures, including disabling hip fractures. It affects more than 25 million Americans, about 80% of them women.

Low bone mineral density (BMD) has been associated with osteoporosis risk. An estimated 1.3 million fractures each year are caused by osteoporosis, and about half of the patients who suffer a hip fracture never fully recover. Also, osteoporosis is a progressive disease. New methods have been approved for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, so it’s important to catch it early, when drug therapy can greatly improve bone structure.

Bone is a hard substance that forms the framework around which the body is built. That framework, or skeleton, contains over 200 separate bones that support and give shape to the body and protect its vital organs. Contrary to a common misconception, bone is a living substance! In fact, bone is one of the most active tissues in the body. It is constantly being broken down and rebuilt in a process called remodeling, and like any other living tissue, it needs nourishment to stay strong and healthy.

To begin the process of bone formation, bone cells use proteins and other building blocks to produce a substance known as collagen. Collagen fibers develop quickly to form an organic mesh, or net, that calcium, phosphorus and numerous other minerals attach to. Over a period of days and weeks (and through a crystallization process involving the substitution and addition of various minerals) the mixture of different minerals attaching to this organic net changes, producing the finished product called hydroxyapatite crystals. These hydroxyapatite crystals are what makes bone so hard. It is easy to appreciate that bone is much more than just calcium.

There are three ways that strong bones are dependent on proper nourishment: 1) To keep the bone cells healthy and active. 2) To supply the variety of important nutritional building blocks needed to form the organic matrix of bone. 3) To supply the complex of minerals that need to be placed on that organic net to make up the finished, hardened component of bone known as hydroxyapatite crystals. With proper nourishment, a healthy lifestyle, and favorable genetics, healthy bones can last a lifetime!

Dr. Michael L. Johnson is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, one of only 700 in the country, with over twenty years of experience in private practice. He has completed over 850 hours of neurological studies and 3800 hours of postgraduate education. His book "What Do You Do When the Medications Don't Work? - A Non-Drug Treatment of Dizziness, Migraine Headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Other Chronic Conditions" outlines his groundbreaking work in the treatment of chronic pain and is a national best-seller. It is available at http://www.askdrjohnson.com/ or wherever books are sold. © 2005 Michael L. Johnson, D.C., D.A.C.N.B.