Our body normally changes as we get older. We are designed for this and our body's hormone system has natural backups for this change. Osteoporosis is a direct result of our body abnormally adjusting to these changes. Why does our body not adjust to the aging process without bone loss? We do not live in a perfect stress free world; we need help to get through these normal body changes. You can do a lot to help yourself either to prevent bone loss or to do as much as you possibly can to prevent further bone loss, irritability, sleeplessness, fatigue ect.

The ovaries produce estrogens and progesterone in high concentrations for the purpose of bearing children. As you age the ovaries begin to produce less and less of these hormones. Totally normal changes as your child bearing years end. This is not the end for you though; in Traditional Chinese Medicine this is called The Second Spring, no more cycles. To maintain a healthy level of hormones our body has a built in system that makes up for the ovaries that are now on minimal function.

On top of the kidneys is a small gland called the adrenal gland. This gland makes adrenaline (cortisol) to stimulate normal body functions and to react under stress. The adrenal gland also produces cortisone (anti inflammatory balancer), and progesterone. Too much cortisol can cause; loss of sleep, GI problems, loss of mental focus and even weight gain. Estrogens are made from a number of organs in small dosages, the primary source of estrogens is fat cells. In a perfect world everything is covered by nature with the estrogens and progesterones in the right ratio. Here is what goes on in real life.

The first thing to start to recede on most people is progesterone production from the ovaries. As the progesterone level drops you will notice irregular cycles, hot flashes, mood swings. The adrenal gland should be making enough progesterone to bring the system in balance. Two things most commonly disrupt the system. First is stress and second is weight gain (fat cells). The estrogen and progesterone have to be in a delicate ratio. Having an ideal ratio is as important as not having enough of the hormone. If the ratio is not kept we have symptoms. We live in a fast paced world. This constant go all the time leaves our body under stress. The adrenal gland is so busy stimulating our body with adrenaline to keep us going, and on top of this we have our daily worries, and the adrenal gland has a hard time keeping up

Estrogen will eventually begin to fall. How fast it falls will determine the amount of minerals that are lost by bone structure. This is where diet comes in to play. Soy isoflavones have been shown to help maintain a persons normal estrogen. It does not make estrogen, what it does is support your own estrogens so they stay active longer. When the ovary begins to decline production rapidly, faster than the body can supply estrogens from other sources, there is a sudden drop in bone density. This is the sudden decline in bone density right before menopause. Soy isoflavones and other estrogen supporters like red clover have been shown to help maintain your estrogen levels so there is not a sudden drop in estrogen. Eating plenty of tofu and drinking soy milk or soy isoflavone pills can really help.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

I like using calcium products that contain the soy isoflavones. Avoid excessive intake of caffeine and colas as these are hard on the bones and can add to bone loss. Dark green vegetables are your best naturally occurring sources of calcium and other minerals you need for your bones.

Stress really does matter. Make sure you are getting enough quality sleep. Also called REM sleep. This is rapid eye movement sleep - dream sleep. If you are not dreaming you can be sleeping, but not experiencing the body rest you need. Stress is important because saying someone is high stress really means they have a high output of adrenaline and they are showing signs of being over stressed. This means a high output of cortisol - adrenaline. It just so happens that prolonged exposure to high cortisol results in bone loss. The adrenal gland uses lots of B vitamins especially B 6 and pantothenic acid. It also uses large amounts of vitamin C and protein.

There are excellent supplements that can help to balance your hormones. Estrogen and cortisol are the first place to start. Speak with your chiropractor about this. Results can sometimes be quick and you will begin to feel better and bring balance back into your life.

A bone density test is a very good way of telling what your overall bone density is at the present time. The cross link peptide Dpd urine or blood test will tell you if you are in active osteoporosis, if you a losing bone at this minute. You can have a good bone density but you still need to know that what you are doing to prevent osteoporosis from occurring or from getting worse is really working. There are many natural sources that are safer and more effective than prescription drugs. These often have side affects. Talk to you doctor.