BONES Method™ - Nurtured Bones

THE BONES METHOD™

I believe in taking a holistic BONES approach to building strong, healthy bones. The BONES Method™ provides comprehensive evaluation and counseling based on the following 5 specific areas of bone health.

Balanced nutrition is essential for bone health

Not only is adequate calcium necessary, but also foods high in other minerals such magnesium and boron, and vitamins such as vitamin K and D.
Eating a balanced acid-alkaline diet can help to reduce bone loss.
- A high acid promoting diet can cause calcium to be leeched from your bones and excreted in the urine.
- You can review the Alkaline-Acid food chart to learn about what foods are more acidic and what foods are more alkaline once metabolized.
It is also important to avoid other foods that promote calcium excretion such as sugar, salt, alcohol and soft drinks.

Optimize digestion to maximize nutrient absorption

Digestion is a critical component of bone health. You need to be able to adequately digest your food so that you can absorb the nutrients necessary to maintain and improve bone health.
It is important to address all underlying digestive issues that may be contributing to impaired digestion, mal-absorption and inadequate utilization of nutrients required for building and maintaining healthy bones.

Nurture the soul to reduce stress and promote sleep

Stress increases 2 hormones called cortisol and adrenaline which can cause bone loss and inhibit bone formation.
Adequate sleep is necessary for the body to rebuild and repair itself.
Good bone health requires exploring ways to reduce stress and finding ways to improve sleep quality.

Exercise to strengthen bones and muscles

Weight bearing and strength training exercises stress bones and stimulates new bone formation.
Strengthening the supporting muscles of the spine and hip enhance stability and support of those bones.
Balance exercises are critical for preventing falls and reducing the risk of fractures.
Posture exercises help to prevent the common postural changes that can occur as a person ages and help to enhance proper body alignment.

Supplements when needed for additional bone building support

Bones need a constant supply of many vitamins and minerals, and deficiency of any one nutrient can adversely affect bone health.
Addressing and correcting individual nutrient deficiencies through appropriate supplementation will strengthen your bones and your body.

My BONES Method™ is a targeted and individualized approach that will help you achieve stronger bones and overall better health!

Vitamin K2 and You

Vitamin K2, a little known nutrient just until a few years ago, has emerged as having a critical role in how the body uses calcium. It is tasked in moving and keeping calcium in the bones and out of places where it shouldn’t be, such as arteries, joints, the kidney and bladder where it can contributed to calcification, heel spurs, bone spurs and kidney and bladder stones.

Vitamin A: How much is too much?

This past week I had a new patient seeking advice on what supplements she should be taking to support her bone health, along with the health of her eyes and her immune system, and aid in preventing urinary tract infections. She came carrying a bag with over 20 different supplement bottles and explained why she took each one and the various websites or healthcare professionals who recommended each.

How much protein do your bones need?

Over the years there has been a lot of controversy as to whether protein is detrimental or beneficial to bone health. Early research suggested that a high protein diet caused an increase of calcium excretion in the urine. It was assumed that the increase in urine calcium was due to calcium loss from the bones, suggesting that high protein diets were detrimental to bone health.

Osteoporosis: East meets West

Western Medicine looks at the body as machine, each organ a gear that must turn correctly for the machine to work. Eastern medicine looks at the person as an extension of all life and effected by all entities on earth, and to be truly healthy, needs to be balanced within as well as with the surrounding environment.

Are you eating the right fats for your bones?

You’re living a healthy lifestyle, but why are you still losing bone? Maybe you have been exercising more, increasing your consumption of green leafy vegetables, and have even cut down on the so called “bad” fats in favor of consuming more “healthy” fats. Well, it may have something to do with the kind of “healthy” fat you are eating.

Testimonial

While providing rehabilitation after my two hip surgeries, Susan also educated me in the importance of proper nutrition for strengthening my bones and improving my bone density. She encouraged me to eat an alkaline-based diet and to eliminate the junk food I was so fond of. Not only did I heal quickly, but also the doctors were amazed by the rapid bone growth as noted on my x-rays. I continue to include chia and pumpkin seeds in my diet, as well as other foods that are alkaline based. I honestly have Susan to thank for this complete transformation in my diet which has allowed me to go back to wearing heels which I thought I would never be able to do again. Nutrition matters – I am a perfect example of good bones from good food!

~ R.G.