Ipriflavone
Ipriflavone is a
synthetic isoflavonoid compound. It is similar to a naturally
occurring compound in soy. Ipriflavone inhibits bone
resorption and also promotes bone
growth. It exerts its effects on
the cells that produce and break
down bone.
In one study,
supplementation fwith ipriflavone
for 2 years
increased bone density in the
vertebra of women with
osteoporosis. [8] In another
clinical trial it was proven to
suppress bone resorption via the
osteoclastic cells. Results were
evaluated by measuring bone
density in the lumbar vertebra,
which did not show a decrease in
bone density after 1 year. [9] Ipriflavone has also been proven
in study to reverse the bone
loss normally caused by normal estrogen
deficiency in postmenopausal
women. [10]
Calcium
Calcium
supplementation is a necessary
aspect of any treatment regimen
for osteoporosis. Calcium is
effective at reducing bone loss
and can help prevent fractures by
building stronger bones. Different
forms of calcium are better
absorbed, such as calcium citrate.
A study of calcium
supplementation for 1-2 years in
postmenopausal women proved that
its supplementation reduced bone loss
and exerted
a protective effect on fracture
prevention for women 3 years post
menopause. [11]
Another study, which included elderly women
suffering from osteoporosis, used calcium citrate
supplementation to reverse age
related increases in bone resorption and
to decrease bone
loss. The use of calcium
citrate in these women was shown
to be as effective as
conventional treatments using biphosphates. [12]
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed
to maintain proper calcium
metabolism in bone. It increases
absorption of calcium by the
intestines and bone. It also
affects parathyroid hormone, which
regulates bone turnover and
release of calcium from bone.
In a study with
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
supplementation caused an increase
in bone mass in the lumbar
vertebra of 2% of participants, as compared with a
loss of 2% in the placebo group. [13] In another study,
supplementation with vitamin D increased bone
density in the femur by 3% and in
the lumbar spine by 2.3%.
This finding was, again, compared
with a loss of bone density in the
placebo groups.
Cholecalciferol has also been
shown to increase
strontium absorption in the gut
and decreased parathyroid
hormone. [14]
Vitamin K1
Vitamin K regulates
the formation of bone. It
increases the calcium
concentrations in the bone via osteocalcin. Individuals who are
deficient in Vitamin K have
impaired bone mineralization.
This is important as the severity of fracture is related to
bone mineralization.
In a study of
postmenopausal women that
supplemented with Vitamin K, bone
loss was reduced. When vitamin K
was combined with a mineral
supplement, bone loss was reduced
even further. [15]
Magnesium
Magnesium is
believed to be as important as
calcium in the treatment of
osteoporosis. Magnesium is a
mineral cofactor for the
conversion of vitamin D3 to its
more
active form, calcitrol. It also
assists in the mediation of parathyroid hormone.
Women
with osteoporosis were
found to be deficient in magnesium
compared to controls in certain
studies. [16]
Furthermore, other studies have found that magnesium
improves bone strength, and is necessary for
the preservation and
remodeling of the bone matrix. [17]
Trace Minerals
There are many
other trace minerals that are
necessary for healthy bone
formation. Copper, manganese, and
zinc are all cofactors for
specific enzymes involved in the
metabolism of bone. One study
proved that copper, manganese, and
zinc were all essential for
optimal bone matrix development
and bone density sustenance. [18]
Boron is equally important, as it activates vitamin D to
vitamin D3 in the kidneys and also
reduces calcium loss via the
urine. Boron has also proven its
effectiveness in reducing bone loss
when individuals are deficient in
other bone-building nutrients,
namely, Vitamin D and calcium. [19]
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