Keeping your bones strong and healthy is important to avoid fractures later in life. A variety of components aid in building and maintaining bone strength, including vitamins and exercise. With the culture of medicine expanding to include integrative medicine, health involves the entire person, not just illness. If you have concerns about bone health, talk with your doctor before taking any supplements or using integrative medicine techniques, to see if this is safe and appropriate for you.
Integrative Medicine
According to the Cleveland Clinic, integrative medicine uses techniques to encourage the body's natural healing abilities and promotes relaxation and stress relief. Tools used in integrative medicine include massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and other techniques to achieve health. This does not replace traditional Western medicine, but is used in conjunction with it. The Cleveland Clinic states that integrative medicine has helped improve sleep, lower pain, strengthen the immune system, eased anxiety and led to better surgical outcomes with fewer complications. Talk with your doctor about how integrative medicine can help your bone health, like practicing yoga for physical exercise and strength building.
Vitamin K
The body is able to store vitamin K in its tissues because it is a fat-soluble vitamin. In addition to its role in aiding with blood clotting, this vitamin is important to keep bones healthy and strong. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that higher levels of vitamin K correspond with higher bone density, and lower levels of vitamin K have been associated with individuals with osteoporosis. This vitamin is necessary for proper utilization of calcium. Dietary sources of the vitamin include asparagus, spinach, green tea and beef liver. The body also produces its own vitamin K from intestinal bacteria. Before taking any vitamin K supplements, talk with your doctor to see if this is safe and appropriate for your bone health.
Healthy Bones
Keeping bones healthy involves maintaining adequate bone density. As individuals age, bone density decreases; most of your bone mass is built by the age of 20, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If bones lack adequate density, bone becomes porous and weak, increasing the risk of fractures. Calcium and vitamin D help build strong bones, and vitamin K ensures the body uses the calcium properly. Weight-bearing physical activity is also necessary for healthy bones; these activities build bone density, as well as help with overall physical health.
Considerations
Integrative medicine and vitamin K are helpful tools in helping to keep your bones healthy and strong, but are not meant to replace medical attention. If you are at risk for osteoporosis, consult your health care provider to see what you can do to reduce your risk factors and improve your bone health.
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