Antioxidant-rich supplements that protect your bones
By Sam Graci
Healthy habits
Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise such as skipping rope and jogging, can help slow bone loss. Avoiding smoking and limiting our alcohol and caffeine intake are also key osteoporosis prevention strategies. Finally, proper nutrition is essential. However, while calcium is best known for its beneficial impact on our bones, it’s not the only nutrient that helps protect us from osteoporosis.
Antioxidants for bones?
There is some good news on the nutrition front. Research on supplementing with antioxidant-rich vitamins and minerals is showing potential for aiding the body in protecting against bone destruction.
A study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements found that a green supplement helped promote the growth of bone cells due to its antioxidant content. A second study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, noted that the antioxidants we consume help reduce oxidative damage in our bodies—a key factor in the development of chronic diseases.
New research on green food supplements
A recent human study carried out at the University of Toronto involved the participation of postmenopausal women. The women were divided into two groups. For eight weeks, one group consumed a leading green food supplement, and the other consumed a placebo. The green food supplement contained a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including three forms of calcium, vitamins C and D3, and lycopene.
The study found that the women who consumed the supplement experienced decreased oxidative stress, as well as decreased CTx (collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide)—a major marker of bone destruction and predictor of future fracture risk—compared to placebo. This group also experienced greater polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity.
As we age, it’s important that we care for our bones to help prevent osteoporosis. Along with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine, consider an antioxidant-packed green food supplement, which can be found at natural health retailers.
About the Author
Sam Graci is a nutritional researcher and author of a number of best-selling books on nutrition, including The Bone Building Solution (Wiley, 2006).