The Healthy Bones Programme

Osteoporosis is one of our great afflications as we grow older - over 50% of the over 70s have some form of bone disease and of this number 80% are women. It can cause extreme pain on our weight bearing areas - back, legs, hips, stooping in women and shrinking in men, fatigue and peridontal disease. Once we reach 50, the risk of low bone density increases dramatically. Prevention is the key and by following our healthy bones programme, it is possible that bone density can be maintained and bone deterioration postponed.

Bone Development

Fifty percent of all bone is made during our teenage years. We increase bone mass even when we stop growing and by the time we are 20, 90% of our bone mass is set. For the next 10 to 15 years, we plateau, but after 35, resorption outpaces formation and we begin to lose between 0.5% and 1% of our bone mass each year. In women there is a sharp increase in bone loss for the first 5 to 10 years post menopause due to lowered levels of oestrogen and progesterone. In men there is an accelerated loss of bone from about 60 onwards, connected to the lowering of testosterone and DHEA. People get shorter, and it is possible to lose 50% from the vetebral disks as interveterbral space is lost. Posture becomes more anterior (the dowager's hump), as ribs move to the pelvis and the lumbar spine shrinks. Typically a woman loses 30% - 40% of her bone mass and a man loses 20% - 30%.

Our Bones

There are 206 bones in the human body, made up of collagen and calcium plus trace minerals. Bone is constantly remodelling - breaking down and regenerating - and our efficiency in doing this is dependent on how much weight bearing activity we undertake and our hormones. Osteoporosis is caused by the loss of collagen; our bones become brittle, and this is often caused by medication or disease. Osteomalacia is soft bones (rickets) and is caused by low calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, A and E, and phosphates. Osteopoenia is the loss of bone mass and is the direct precursor to osteoporosis. Stress and diet have a major impact on our hormonal activity and this in turn dictates our bone health and how the body breaks down and rebuilds our bones.

Our Programme

Our healthy bones programme provides a basic dietary protocol, outlining what foods should be avoided and what foods encourage bone health, recommends some specific nutraceuticals to ensure hormonal balance and provides a list of particular dietary aids that can help in bone mass retention. We recommend an exercise regime, provide skeletal adjustment where necessary and outline an emotional wellbeing programme.

For more information about our Healthy Bones Programme, please call us on 02380 276225 or email us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .