Osteoporosis: The Destruction Of The Human Body

Osteoporosis is becoming more and more common in the present environment of fast food, drugs, and sedentary lifestyles. For example, empty-calorie foods with little nutrients are depleting body systems, such as the skeletal system, of what they really need. The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests that approximately fifty-four million Americans suffer from this condition, and the numbers are expected to escalate. What can be done to help these individuals get what their body really needs? Nutrition has been a personal interest from a relatively young age, and its effects are intriguing. Plus, integrative medicine, a natural approach to treatments and keeping the body healthy, is also gaining popularity. These interests and stunning numbers …show more content…
Therefore, it needs an abundant source of antioxidants to destroy free radicals by chain-breaking or preventing further damage. A chain-breaking antioxidant stabilizes newly formed free radicals, which are created when an existing radical emits or adds an electron. In order to destroy a free radical, an antioxidant first becomes oxidative itself (Pham-Huy, He, Pham-Huy). The antioxidant can end a chain reaction while still remaining stable by giving a radical one of its electrons. ("Understanding Free Radicals And Antioxidants"). Antioxidants don't become free radicals even though they become oxidative because they give their unpaired electron away which leaves an even number. Preventative antioxidants function to decrease the rate of growth in the radical chains (Pham-Huy, He, Pham-Huy). Both types of antioxidants are needed for the body to maintain and develop good health. However, when there are more free radicals than antioxidants, cell disruption can occur ("Understanding Free Radicals And Antioxidants"). This is one of the reasons that it is important to eat plenty of antioxidant rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin commonly found in bell peppers and oranges, destroys free radicals as a non-enzymatic antioxidant. This means that the body can’t make vitamin C independently; it must come from an outside source, such as food or supplements (Pham-Huy, He, Pham-Huy). …show more content…
There is a constant creation of new bone to replace old bone in the body. The right balance of calcium is needed to properly build and maintain bones. Too little calcium can result in lost bone mass (Griffin). This is where calcium supplements could come into play. The purpose of calcium supplements is to balance out calcium absorption by making up for the calcium that is not obtained from food (Griffin). Calcium should primarily be acquired through food, but if a diet is lacking calcium, a supplement may be recommended by a physician. Proper calcium absorption can only take place with the assistance of nutrients, most importantly vitamins D and A (Ehrlich). Even if the right amount of calcium is being consumed, several nutrients still need to be present to actually help the bones. An example of a verily inexpensive calcium supplement is calcium carbonate. Its composition includes more elemental calcium, which is what the body actually absorbs, than other supplements, such as calcium citrate. The recommended amount of any calcium supplement that should be consumed depends on age and health status (Ehrlich). For example, adolescents generally need more calcium than middle-aged adults because they are still growing. It is suggested that no more than 500mg of calcium be consumed at one time (Ehrlich). However, if calcium supplements are taken more than needed, for example,