living well

No Bones About It

It's widely recognized that strong bones are necessary for long-term wellness. A common misconception, however, is that bone health is important only for structural reasons. It's true that the skeleton provides us with support and mobility But this strong and light system is more than a physical framework.

Bones are actually a chemical storehouse and factory, serving as a repository for essential minerals and as a facility producing cells that enable systemic processes. Healthy bones keep us alive by performing both the structural support and metabolic functions.

First, consider the physical aspect: the skeleton not only provides us a free range of motion that is impossible in invertebrates (try to imagine a jellyfish walking), it also serves as a protective armor for vital organs. Our skeleton is a safety cage for heart, lungs and liver - specialized organs that are in constant operation. One organ, the brain, is so important that it is completely encased in bone, a natural helmet. There is no doubt that highly developed animals could not exist without this complex system of scaffolding and protection, and that good health depends on keeping this system in good working order.

In addition to serving in this way, our bones contain dynamic internal systems that are in constant motion. We require the mineral known as calcium to support a variety of activities at the cellular level. Bone is a reservoir for 99% of the body's calcium supply It releases amounts of this element as needed to assist in heart, muscle and nerve function. Bone is also a blood generator. It produces red blood cells, necessary for transferring oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body Bone marrow synthesizes white blood cells, which help the body fight off infection, and platelets, which enable blood to clot and assist in healing. Without healthy bones, none of these processes are possible.

Yet our bony structure is under constant threat. As we mature, the ability of our skeletal system to renew these vital minerals and carry out these processes will diminish. Calcium replacement slows - and one result is that an estimated 10 million Americans over the age of SO suffer from osteoporosis, a condition in which bone mass is reduced and the skeleton becomes fragile. Age is only one factor that can lead to a decline in bone health. As fewer adults get the regular exercise they need, this also affects bone mass and regeneration. Additionally, the rise in obesity and overweight imposes increased stress on the skeletal structure.

Diet is critical in maintaining osseous health. Our bones need the raw materials necessary to rebuild themselves (the adult skeleton is largely replaced every 10 years). Yet ordinary calcium supplements are not an effective way to answer this need. Most ingested calcium is excreted - and an unfortunate side effect of excess calcium in the system can be the formation of kidney or bladder stones.

Instead, the skeletal system requires a regular infusion of the natural substances that enable specialized cells to regenerate bone tissue. Providing these nutrients in supplement form would require a targeting mechanism to ensure that the ingredients are delivered to the correct destination and readily absorbed by these cells. Research continues on developing a mechanism that will accomplish this - and actively support the structure that supports us. " '"
NIKKEN | JULY/AUGUST 2007