What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a consequence of advancing age, with postmenopausal women being at greater risk of developing this debilitating disease.

More information on how and why menopause increases the risk of developing osteoporosis is available here.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Traditional drugs used to treat osteoporosis includes using calcium supplements, vitamin D supplements, hormone replacement, bisphosphonates or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). In general, traditional drugs slow down the loss of bone, and in some cases, increases bone density.

Calcium and vitamin D supplements are also considered as natural therapies. The following natural supplements are used to reduce the loss of bone density:

• Calcium
• Vitamin D3

Not all calcium supplements are the same. Some forms of calcium salts are better absorbed by the body than others. Calcium citrate, calcium phosphate and calcium hydroxyapatite are the most well absorbed forms of calcium, however calcium carbonate is still the most common form of calcium supplements available. The carbonate salt of calcium is not as well absorbed, but is more cost effective than the other salts.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), is used to

• assist in the absorption of calcium
• regulate the amount of calcium in our blood
• regulate bone metabolism
• promote bone mineralization

It is best to take calcium and vitamin D3 supplements together.

Calcium supplements are sometimes combined with vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. Magnesium is included as it is necessary for strong bones and teeth. Zinc, copper and manganese is included for skeletal development and repair.

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