Q: Aside from calcium intake,
how does diet affect bone density?
A: A common perception
about bone health goes as follows: Bones are made of calcium
and therefore consuming more calcium will prevent osteoporosis.
It seems simple enough but is only one side of the picture.
Bone is a living mineral matrix whose health obeys the
laws defining the behavior of all matter and energy. Bones,
like all tissues, are constantly being built up and broken
down, exhibiting the all-present interplay of opposing
forces. Call it what you will (catabolic/anabolic, yin/yang,
Shiva/Vishnu). Every bodily process displays both forces
simultaneously. To maintain bone density we must not only
consume calcium, but pay attention to the opposite destructive
forces.
The destructive dietary forces are acid forming substances.
When in excess, acids are balanced with calcium released
from the bones to form alkaline buffers. Bone density
is weakened when a long-term acid condition created by
an acid forming diet (like an average American diet) is
a stronger force than the intake of alkaline minerals.
For balance, the acid forming foods must be decreased
and the alkaline minerals increased.
Refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol, and excessive
protein intake (alert to all the Adkins devotees!) are
the culprits.. They create acids and don’t supply
enough minerals to balance the ones they rob from the
bones. For long-term bone health eliminate refined carbohydrates,
replace them with whole grains, and increase your consumption
of alkaline forming vegetables. For the best long-term
health, be aware of both forces affecting bone health..
Only when we clearly see both sides can we define and
walk upon the middle ground. Calcium intake is only half
the picture. |
