General Health Information

Healthy bones and joints enable us to move about freely and without discomfort. Our skeletal system is constructed of hundreds of movable parts connected by ligaments and tendons, lubricated and cushioned by cartilage. It requires constant maintenance. The bones undergo a continuous mineralization process involving magnesium, calcium, fluoride and boron moving into and out of the bone matrix, regulated by various hormones. Bone thinning occurs when this mineral flow is out of balance. Cartilage and ligaments require constant lubrication, repair, and maintenance. Wear and tear eventually takes its toll as many people suffer from lack of mobility and pain associated with worn out joints and brittle bones associated with aging, injury, and disease. A healthy lifestyle which involves regular exercise and a nutritious diet goes far in getting the most “mileage” out of our skeletal system.

In addition to proper diet and regular exercise, additional daily intake of several key nutrients can help to further insure healthy bone and joint function. Dietary supplementation helps provide valuable insurance against the detrimental effects of aging, disease, and injury. Calcium is without a doubt one of the most crucial nutrients. The chances of age related “thinning of the bones” can be dramatically reduced by taking a daily calcium supplement. Vitamin D, boron, and magnesium are also extremely important to bone mineralization. Menopausal women should consider hormone replacement therapy as well. Nutrients such as glucosamine provide the necessary building blocks needed for cartilage repair and maintenance. Essential fatty acids, particularly gamma linoleic acid, play a key role in joint lubrication as well as in the regulation of the body’s inflammatory process. Many of these very important nutrients should be supplemented as part of a comprehensive program designed to optimize skeletal system function.

Wellness Plan

Regular load bearing exercise Balanced diet emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables Avoid tobacco, caffeine, and soft drinks Reduce exposure to environmental toxins Pharmacist’s Supplement Recommendations: Vitamins, Minerals, and Trace Elements - all are important, especially calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, strontium, zinc, boron, vitamins B-6, C, D, E, & K, folic acid, pantothenic acid, calcium, potassium Herbs and Phytonutrients - ipriflavone, glucosamine, soy, chondroitin, cartilage, bioflavonoids, bromelain Glandulars - adrenal, pituitary Amino Acids - cysteine, methionine, glutamine Essential Fatty Acids - omega-3 and omega-6 Antioxidants - grape seed extract, selenium, lipoic acid