Don’t let Osteoporosis – the silent epidemic – creep up upon you.

GUARDING AGAINST THE HIGH RISKS OF BRITTLE BONE OSTEOPOROSIS

It’s an alarming fact that 50% of women suffering a fracture due to bone weakness caused by osteoporosis will not walk again! Are you at risk? What are the warning signs? What can you do to protect yourself?

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease in which bone density decreases and brittleness increases – although there is no change in size or composition. In many cases, therefore, there are no obvious symptoms of the problem. People with this ‘porous’ bone condition will be very susceptible to fracture, after just minimal trauma. Indeed, that is often when the problem first comes to light.

Often described, therefore, as the silent epidemic, each year osteoporosis results in some 200,000 fractures in the UK. For older people fractures are of great concern – being so debilitating and distressing in their own right and, often, leading to other more serious complications. Other sufferers, as they grow older, may find themselves developing a hunched back (Dowager’s Hump).  This is because the weakened vertebrae of the spine start collapsing – even from routine movements, such as coughing or lifting.

Risks associated with calcium debt

Estimates put osteoporosis risk at 1 in 12 for men in the UK over the age of 50 – and as great as 1 in 3 for women. Women are at increased risk because of the lowered oestrogen levels in their perimenopausal and menopausal life stages – resulting in calcium depletion in the bones. Over a long period, calcium debt can cause bones to become unhealthy and brittle – and can eventually develop into osteoporosis.

Calcium is not only the most important mineral for strong and healthy bones, it is vital for a whole range of body processes throughout our lives. Calcium is needed for blood clotting and for transmitting signals in the nerve cells – but, along with iron, it is one of the two most common deficiencies, especially in women. This deficiency is always worst in those whose diet does not provide enough calcium in the first place and in those who have a history of ‘yo-yo’ dieting. Bone brittleness can also be more prevalent in long term steroid users – who are found to be at 50%-60% greater risk of hip fractures. Osteoporosis is also more common in heavy smokers and drinkers of alcohol and fizzy drinks.

Choosing the most effective calcium supplement

It can be difficult to make sure you are buying a supplement that your body really can utilise. The body can only absorb a maximum of 25% (and usually only absorbs about 10%) of the calcium available in many of the cheaper supplement forms.

The solution lies with a new, clinically-proven patented supplement called BioCalth – in which the calcium is already bonded with a natural molecule, a metabolite of vitamin C called L-threonate. Easily accepted by the body, BioCalth is more readily absorbed and better utilised ­ boosting absorption rates to an impressive 95%.

BioCalth has the research and clinical trials to support its profound effect in the reduction of symptoms associated with osteoporosis and other bone degenerating diseases. With BioCalth, more calcium is deposited into the bone and cartilage, helping inhibit bone and collagen loss and improving fragility. In fact BioCalth actually rebuilds bone tissue itself, rather than just the surface. BioCalth also increases the collagen production as we age.