The textbooks tell us that the body needs vitamin D for calcium utilization, and vitamin A for both calcium and protein assimilation. Protein given as a powder lacks these fat-soluble co-factors that the body can use to build and maintain healthy bones.
Synthetic vitamin D, on the other hand, can cause hypercalcemia, a disturbance of calcium equilibrium leading to excessive blood calcium and calcification of soft tissues. Synthetic vitamin D added to commercial milk does not have the same beneficial effect as vitamin D3 from cod liver oil in preventing rickets and strengthening the bones.
Fats, especially animal fats, also supply usable vitamin K. This nutrient is associated with blood clotting— individuals who lack the ability to use vitamin K suffer from hemophilia and risk uncontrolled bleeding when injured. But Vitamin K also plays an important role in bone metabolism. Vitamin K is more available in dairy fats than in the oils found in green vegetables. Studies indicate that vitamin K is more completely absorbed from vegetables consumed with butter than with vegetables eaten plain. Vitamin K is also manufactured by intestinal flora. Use of antibiotics can inhibit vitamin K production, leading to bone loss. Consumption of lacto-fermented foods such as yoghurt and old fashioned sauerkraut promotes the growth of beneficial flora in the intestines, and hence contributes to healthy bones.
Fat soluble vitamin E also plays a role in promoting bone health, by protecting the calcium depositing mechanism from free radical disruption. In a recent study, investigators at Purdue University found that high levels of free radicals from omega-6 linoleic acid (found principally in corn, soy and safflower oils) interfered with bone formation, but that vitamin E gave needed protection in a diet high in polyunsaturates. In addition, they found that high levels of saturated fat also gave protection. That’s right, the much-maligned saturated fats, found in tropical oils, butter and other animal fats, play an important role in bone modeling. This may be a major reason that population groups in tropical areas, where coconut and palm oils form a major component of the diet, have very little osteoporosis.
Vitamin A in animal fats is absolutely essential for the health of the entire glandular system, and hence the continued production of regulating hormones throughout life. Hormone replacement often recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis is not an ideal substitute for the natural hormones produced in properly nourished bodies. Estrogen is also synthesized in the adipose (fat) tissue. Perhaps this is why women naturally gain some weight at menopause.
Meats are also excellent sources of vitamin B12, which plays a recently discovered but little understood role in maintaining the integrity of the bones.
Plant foods such as fruits, especially apples, nuts and grains supply boron, needed for the conversion of vitamin D to its active form, and for the formation of estrogen. Iodine found in natural sea salt, sea foods and butter helps maintain healthy ovaries and thyroid gland, both of which play a role in maintaining bone integrity. Magnesium, found in whole foods, also contributes to bone health as does natural fluoride, present in hard water as calcium fluoride. Chromium may also contribute to bone health by normalizing insulin activity. Type I diabetics are prone to osteoporosis. Chromium picolinate has been found to reduce the amount of calcium excreted in the urine and therefore may protect against bone loss. Refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour can cause chromium deficiency. But sodium fluoride added to drinking water is one of a number of substances that is harmful to our bones. It causes an apparent increase in bone mass, but the bone structure is abnormal and weak. Recent studies indicate that hip fractures are more common in areas where water is fluoridated. Phosphoric acid in soft drinks is a major cause of calcium deficiency in children and osteoporosis in adults. Aluminum from antacids, cans and pollution also contributes to bone loss.
Understand the importance of calcium-rich whole dairy products in the diet and eat plentifully of milk, cheese, butter and eggs.
Also, The number one problem with artificial hips or knees is the glue, the glue only lasts about 5 years. And just because you have hip or knee pain does not mean you need a replacement.
