As you all know, if it's anything at all - as a chiropractor I work with the vertebrae or spinal column, which as you know are the bones in your back. This is a statement that we can all agree. You can safely assume that I've spent hundreds of hours studying bones and how they're made and what happens to them when things go wrong. (By the way we also work with the central nervous and peripheral nervous system or in simpler terms your nerves... but that's another topic).
The spine, which is made up of vertebrae which have a normal range for density. As a doctor who takes radiography's (X-rays) of the spine, we can see loss in density or strength of your spine - unfortunately only when 30% loss of density. Meaning, that much damage has already occurred - before you even know about the problem. (That's bad)
Take more calcium supplements and medication - Could it be as simple as that? (well, people who understand biochemistry -it's not simple) To advertisers selling you supplements and medications - man it's easy.
Okay, so we've all heard that if you have osteopenia (bones losing thickness) or osteoporosis (lots of lost bone thickness/density) that you need to do what? I know you know this. 1. Drink milk, 2. calcium supplements, 3. medication. You all get an A. You passed the test - yet you FAILED your bones. Let's go over where you screwed up. But my DEX scan said I was normal... great test for bone thickness, however this scan seems to miss brittle bones. Meaning the bones are thicker - just not denser, making them brittle. How about blood tests, again okay - yet if you have bone loss, cramps, muscles not working properly then obviously their is something wrong.
Calcium is complex - it needs a HUGE amount of factors(co-factors) to go right first, before your body can make bone properly. Let's go over what you need to happen for calcium to build strong bones.
How's your stomach? Are you on any acid suppressing medications? If yes, then you will have a hard time absorbing calcium. Why, Hydrochloric Acid or HCL is required for calcium to be absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract or G.I. and your medications do a great job with stopping stomach acids.(yay... no pain - just weaker bones ...cool trade off - sarcasm intended) What else decreases stomach acids... poor eating habits, stress, lack of thiamine B1/zinc, aging and alcohol.
Vitamin D... lots of recent controversy lately - but this we know for sure without vitamin D your calcium doesn't move from your G.I. into your blood. Vitamin D is made by your skin in the presence of sunshine (and it's been a gloomy winter so far).
Essential Fatty Acids: their essential because, your body can't make them you need to get them from your diet. If you have gallbladder problems or no gall bladder you will have difficulty with calcium absorption. Why, because your gallbladder is needed to break down EFA's. And EFA's are need to transport Calcium from the blood/serum to the tissues.
Is your Parathyroid Gland working properly... basically, hows your hormone levels?
Calcium is it bio-available? Yes milk has a-lot of calcium, but is it the best BIO-AVAILABLE calcium? Meaning can your body readily absorb (use) this form of calcium .... the answer is unfortunately no it's not the best way to get calcium. Green leafy veggies and non-ionized calcium supplements.
White trash: How's your diet? Are you eating white breads, white rice, soda's... including diet, white pasta - tastes great right? These foods impede calcium absorption.
What should you do?
Need help or you think you've made these COMMON mistakes and want to do things more efficiently, then call us for a consult and we will go over what you need to do:
We will ask you to :
- Bring in what your taking
- How long you've been on them?
- How long have you've been sick?
We will go over the 3 Principles:
- Garbage out
- Good In
- Time/ Measure to tract progress
Call for more information at 465-5358.
Schedule a consult, and have a fresh pair of eyes looking at your case.
