Get your Bone Health Essentials supplements with 20% off!

Get them here

Get your Bone Health Essentials supplements with 20% off!

Get them here

Book a call
Protecting your Pet’s Health during the Pandemic
Back to all posts

Pets provide people with valuable companionship and unconditional love.  They can also greatly contribute to our health. Having and loving a pet can help to reduce stress and anxiety, ease depression, encourage exercise, and even improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. 

All of these benefits are even more essential during these nerve-racking times. For those of us who have and love pets, we also want to do all we can to keep them healthy as well.

As I am prepping for the re-launch of the Healthy Aging Summit in June this year, I had the privilege of interviewing an internationally renowned veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan.  While interviewing her about how to keep our pets healthy as they age, I also took the opportunity to ask questions about how to best care for our pets during this time of pandemic. Dr. Morgan responded that “our pets are sponges of our emotions, and if you are dealing with stress, anxiety and fear, your pets are feeling that way as well.”  Just like humans, pets need to be reassured that everything is going to be OK.

Pets can exhibit anxiety and stress by urinating or defecating in the house, becoming destructive, restless, compulsive or aggressive, or showing signs of fear, such as hiding.

Dr. Morgan reiterated that our pets respond best to calm and loving manners in their human companions. She recommended that we try our best to maintain a normal routine, love and reassure them through snuggling and petting, and keep a sense of calm.  

Some of her recommendations:

  • Playing soothing music in the house as opposed to the news
  • Maintaining daily walks and playtime
  • If you can’t get outside, play games inside like hide-n-seek (hide some treats around the house and have your pet seek them out)
  • Offer brain stimulation by teaching you pet a new trick or using a food dispensing toy or puzzle

This can also be a great time to work on obedience training.

One thing she warned against is showing love and affection with food!  Like with people, if we use food to comfort our pets, we will all emerge from this time of quarantine 10 pounds heavier!

During this time of quarantine, you also need to prepare for your pet just as you would prepare your family. This includes having a 2-4 week supply of food, medications (don’t forget subscription medications), litter and other supplies.

And if you are wondering if your pet can contract COVID -19, so far, there have been a few reports of pets being infected: a cat in Belgium and two dogs in Hong Kong.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Organization for Animal Health have also said that there is no evidence at this time that companion animals can spread the COVID-19 virus.

If you are so inclined, now would be a great time to adopt or foster a pet.  Many shelters are being overrun with people giving up their pets during this crisis. Additionally, animal shelters, like businesses, have had to go to skeleton staffs, so there are fewer people able to care for the animals. Please reach out to shelters and rescue groups in your area for more information. Even temporarily fostering a pet would ease the burden.

We can best help our pets and ourselves during these trying times by maintaining a healthy routine and finding ways to nurture a calm and peaceful household. 

Susan Brady
is a Physical Therapist,
Nutrition Consultant and
Doctor of Integrative Medicine.
She has been treating women with osteoporosis for over 30 years and is dedicated to helping people achieve
lasting good health and vitality.

Want to learn more about how you can improve your bone health? Contact me for a free 15 minute phone consult to learn more about the BONES Method™ and how it can help you achieve strong, healthy bones for life!

™Here’s why leafy greens should be at the top of your dietary list for bone health: 

1. Calcium-Rich Goodness

While dairy products are known for their calcium content, green leafy vegetables can be just as potent. Calcium is a fundamental mineral for bone health, and leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and turnip greens provide an excellent plant-based source of this nutrient. One cup of cooked kale can offer as much calcium as a cup of milk, making it an essential addition to your diet.

 

2. Vitamin K: The Bone Protector

Leafy greens are rich in vitamin K, a nutrient vital for bone health. Vitamin K helps in the activation of osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to the bone matrix, strengthening bones. Additionally, vitamin K helps reduce excessive bone demineralization, protecting against bone loss and fractures. Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are particularly high in vitamin K, making them superstars for your skeletal system.

 

3. Magnesium for Bone Metabolism

Magnesium is another crucial nutrient found abundantly in leafy greens. About 50-60% of the body’s magnesium is stored in the bones, where it plays a pivotal role in bone metabolism and mineralization. Magnesium also assists in converting vitamin D into its active form, which aids in calcium absorption. Incorporating greens like spinach and kale into your diet ensures you get enough magnesium for optimal bone health.

 

4. Maintaining Alkaline Balance

A diet rich in leafy greens helps maintain the body’s acid-base balance, which is essential for bone health. When the body becomes too acidic, it may leach calcium from the bones to neutralize the acid, leading to weakened bones. Leafy greens, being alkaline, help maintain a balanced pH, preventing calcium loss and keeping your bones strong and healthy.

 

5. Packed with Antioxidants and Other Nutrients

Green leafy vegetables are packed with a range of vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health. Vitamin C, found in greens like kale and spinach, is necessary for collagen formation, which is a critical component of bone structure. Additionally, the antioxidants in leafy greens help protect bone cells from damage and reduce inflammation. The concept of osteoimmunology highlights the connection between the immune system and bone health. Nutrients found in leafy greens help modulate immune responses, reducing inflammation and promoting bone regeneration and repair.

 

6. Fiber for Digestive Health

Leafy greens are high in dietary fiber, which supports a healthy digestive tract and promotes regular bowel movements. Fiber also aids in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for bone health. A healthy gut microbiome can enhance nutrient absorption, including calcium and magnesium, synthesize essential vitamins such as vitamin K2, reduce inflammation, and regulate hormones, all of which further support bone health.

 

 I recommend aiming to get 2-3 cups of leafy greens a day

 

Practical Ways to Add Leafy Greens to Your Diet

1. Smoothies: Add a handful of your favorite greens to your smoothie.

2. Salads: Make leafy greens the base of your salads. Mix varieties like arugula, romaine, kale, and spinach for a nutrient-packed meal.

3. Soups and Stews: Add chopped greens to soups, stews, and broths. They add flavor and a nutritional boost.

4. Stir-Fries: Incorporate greens like bok choy or Swiss chard into your stir-fries for a quick and healthy dinner.

5. Wraps and Sandwiches: Use large leafy greens as wraps or add them to sandwiches for extra crunch and nutrition. 

 

NOTE: While green leafy vegetables are incredibly beneficial for bone health and overall well-being, it is important to be mindful of their oxalate content. Oxalates, are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, including leafy greens, nuts, seeds and certain vegetables. They can bind to minerals in the gut which can interfere with their absorption. For this reason, oxalates are considered anti-nutrients. I delve deeper into the topic of oxalates in my BONES Method™ Program where I discuss what foods have the highest oxalate content, the best alternatives, and how to manage oxalate intake effectively. Supporting optimal bone health doesn’t require perfection—it requires balance. In this program you will discover how a well-rounded, nutritious diet can contribute to strong bones and overall wellness.

CLICK HERE to learn more about my program. 

 

Incorporating green leafy vegetables into your daily diet is a simple and effective way to support your bone health. These greens provide a rich source of calcium, vitamin K, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants, all of which are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Additionally, their benefits extend to supporting digestive health and boosting immune function, making them a cornerstone of a bone-healthy diet. So next time you plan your meals, make sure to include a generous serving of leafy greens and give your bones the nourishment they need to stay strong for life.

 

 Eat like a horse, and enjoy the benefits of strong, healthy bones for years to come!

 

 

 

 

 

20% off

Bone Health Essentials

Smart supplementation is an integral part of my Bones Method™

Discover my Bone Health Essentials, key supplements I have carefully curated to support optimal bone health and wellness.

Open a Fullscript account and save 20% off all orders. 

ORDER HERE

Susan Brady

Physical Therapist, Nutritional consultant & Doctor of Integrative medicine

Susan is an experienced physical therapist who can assess muscle strength, posture, and balance. She creates personalized exercise programs to improve bone strength. As a nutritionist, she focuses on improving nutrients for bone health and assessing digestion and absorption. Susan also understands the importance of reducing stressors to prevent bone loss. With her holistic approach, Susan effectively addresses all aspects of bone health.

Book a free call

Susan Brady

Physical Therapist, Nutritional consultant & Doctor of Integrative medicine

Susan is an experienced physical therapist who can assess muscle strength, posture, and balance. She creates personalized exercise programs to improve bone strength. As a nutritionist, she focuses on improving nutrients for bone health and assessing digestion and absorption. Susan also understands the importance of reducing stressors to prevent bone loss. With her holistic approach, Susan effectively addresses all aspects of bone health.

Book a free call

Free webinar

Is your gut holding your bones hostage?

Join this webinar to discover how your digestive system and gut microbiome can impact your bone health. Learn how enhancing the health of your "Gut System" can lead to improvements in your bone health.