A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Osteogenesis Imperfecta

I had a question the other day about osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause.

OI is classified into different types to help describe how severely a person with OI is affected.

For example, a person may have just a few or as many as several hundred fractures in a lifetime.

While the number of people affected with OI in the US is unknown, the best estimate is at least 20,000 and possibly as many as 50,000.

In classical OI, a person has too little type I collagen or a poor quality of type I collagen due to a gene mutation.

Collagen is the major protein of your body’s connective tissue.

It’s part of the framework bones are formed around.

There isn’t a cure for OI yet.

Treatment is directed toward preventing or controlling symptoms, maximizing independent mobility, and developing optimal bone mass and muscle strength.

Care of fractures, extensive surgical and dental procedures, and physical therapy are often recommended.

Use of wheelchairs, braces, and other mobility aids is common, especially among people with more severe types of OI.

People with OI are encouraged to exercise as much as possible to promote muscle and bone strength, which can help prevent fractures.

Swimming and water therapy are good exercise choices, as water allows independent movement with little risk of fracture.

For those who are able, walking (with or without mobility aids) is excellent exercise.

To deal with osteogenesis imperfecta it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily.

*Alfalfa, barley grass, dandelion root, nettle, parsley, poke root, rose hips, and yucca help to build strong bones.

*Oat straw contains silica, which helps your body absorb calcium.

*Red clover may mimic the effects of estrogen by slowing the degenerative breakdown of bone mass.

*Common herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme can slow the breakdown of bone (don’t use sage if you any type of seizure disorder).

*Eat plenty of foods high in calcium and vitamin D.  The most potent sources are dairy products, but not all dairy has vitamin D.  Check the label, as calcium and vitamin D should be consumed at the same time.

*Good sources of easily assimilated calcium include broccoli, chestnuts, clams, dandelion greens, most dark green leafy vegetables, flounder, hazelnuts, kale, kelp, molasses, oats, oysters, salmon, sardines (with the bones), sea vegetables, sesame seeds, shrimp, soybeans, tahini, tofu, turnip greens, and wheat germ.

*Eat whole grains and calcium foods at different times.  Whole grains contain a substance that binds with calcium and prevents its uptake.  Take calcium at bedtime, when it’s best absorbed and also helps with sleeping.

*Include garlic and onions in your diet, as well as eggs (if your cholesterol level isn’t too high).  These foods contain sulfur, which is needed for healthy bones.

*Avoid phosphate-containing drinks and foods like soft drinks and alcohol.  Avoid smoking, sugar, and salt.  Limit your consumption of citrus fruits and tomatoes; these foods may inhibit calcium intake.

*Avoid yeast products.  Yeast is high in phosphorus, which competes with calcium for absorption by your body.

*Include a calcium supplement in your daily regimen.

*Vitamin K1, found in dark green vegetables like kale, cooked greens, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, and some lettuces, slows bone loss.  Continue to eat foods high in vitamin K.

*Keep active, and exercise regularly.  A lack of exercise can result in the loss of calcium, but this can be reversed with sensible exercise.  Walking is probably the best exercise for maintaining bone mass.  Other activities strengthening bones include dancing, stair climbing, aerobics, and weight lifting.

*Lose weight to take some pressure off your joints; you can follow my weight loss blog at blog.dickandlenay.com.

*Eat fresh (not canned) pineapple and/or papaya because they contain enzymes to reduce inflammation.

If you’re dealing with osteoporosis, try these (100% money-back guarantee):

It’s essential to use:  Vita-Lea, Protein, Calcium/Magnesium, Vitamin D, Alfalfa, OmegaGuard, GLA.

It’s important to use:  B-Complex, Vitamin C, VitalMag, Optiflora, Zinc.

It’s beneficial to use:  CoQHeart, EZ-Gest, Vivix, Joint Health Complex, Pain Relief Complex.

Please comment below, like, retweet, and share with your friends!

email:  lenay@dickandlenay.com

PS:  If you have any questions about osteoporosis, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.