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AquaSource Osteo-Forte

For Bone Health

Vital bone nutrients formulated for maximum absorption

The most widely available supplement for bones is calcium carbonate, which is in effect chalk and is poorly absorbed. Not only is little absorbed but the excess may be deposited inappropriately elsewhere in the body where it can cause calcification, for example in the joints. Similarly magnesium is often found as carbonate, oxide, chloride or sulphates - which have low absorption rates.

The AquaSource Osteo-Forte contains a well-researched range of nutrients that support bone health. Just as important as the ingredients, this product is optimized for efficient absorption, maximizing its potential.

• Calcium and magnesium provided in substantial amounts from patented, scientifically studied algal sources - which have superlative absorption rates. The algae are harvested live and cold-pressed. The minerals are organically bound in the plant making them extremely bio-available to the human body. Algae have the added advantage of containing over 70 trace minerals

• Vitamin D is included as D3 (cholecalciferol) which is more bio-available than vitamin D2

• The mineral boron is included as it is converts vitamin D into its active form and its effects on calcium and magnesium metabolism are well-studied.

• Vitamin K2 has been sourced from a special Japanese fermented soya bean food called Natto. This is a pioneering step resulting from the most up-to-date research and very few supplements currently contain this new and scientifically studied vitamin K2. A study conducted in 2006 showed that vitamin K2 impacts on the body’s use of calcium, helping to ensure deposition of calcium in the bones.

• Plant-based enzymes are included to further ensure maximum uptake of the minerals

• The Ionic minerals – naturally sourced, water-soluble minerals from the Great Salt lake of Utah, USA – provide over 70 different minerals and trace elements. Will absorb easily and help to transport other nutrients in the formulation

• The inclusion of the AquaSource Algae adds further nutrients and synergy to the formula

Directions:
Take 2 capsules daily with a meal as nutritional support to help maintain strong bones.

Look After Your Bones

Strong bones are important to everyday life but bone density declines naturally from around the age of 30 onwards. It is vital, therefore, to ensure that the daily diet includes nutrients important for bone strength.

How Strong are My Bones?

Most people do not know how strong their bones are but bone density and strength can be tested quite easily. The most usual test for bone density is a DEXA scan which is a low radiation x-ray. There is also a useful test, which can be done privately at home, which measures rate of bone turnover by screening markers in the urine.  Alternatively you can  have a simple but effective bone density ultrasound scan of your heel - which gives all the necessary information.

There is currently no routine public health screening programme in place to test bone strength so it is up to the individual to be proactive in find out how strong their bones are.

Bone Metabolism

Our bones provide us with a strong, flexible skeleton. However, bone is not an inert substance - is is active tissue which contains living cells and a network of blood vessels and nerves. Bone consists of minerals deposited around a protein matrix. The most abundant mineral in bone is calcium, which gives bone its hard structure.

Bone is constantly being broken down and renewed. This process is carried out by cells called osteoblasts which build new bone and osteoclasts which cause bone to be "resorbed" or broken down. A balance in the activity of these two types of bone cells is important to ensure bone strength.

The bone building and breaking down process is regulated by thyroid hormones, and oestrogen. This hormonal activity is interdependent on levels of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and other nutritional co-factors in the body. Bone acts as a calcium "bank" in which calcium is deposited and can be be withdrawn when needed to be used elsewhere in the body. the correct mineral composition of bone is critical in order to keep it strong but not brittle.

The following factors play an important role in keeping bones healthy and strong:

• Use of calcium within the body. Most people know that they need calcium to build strong bones. However, it is much less well understood that, in order for calcium to be properly used and metabolised, vitamins D and K, and the minerals boron and magnesium are required. Adequate levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach are also important.

• Oestrogen levels. It is important to ensure bone health at all stages of life but particularly during the menopausal years when changes in hormone levels occur.

• Exercise and lifestyle. A healthy diet and lifestyle and a regular exercise regime play an important part in maintaining bone density and strength.

Tips for Keeping Your Bones Healthy

Ensure intake of vitamins and minerals:

Calcium is the major structural component of bone. Green leafy vegetables, almonds, hazelnuts, tofu, ground sesame and sunflower seeds and tinned fish are all good dietary sources.

Magnesium is vital for transporting calcium in and out of cells and is the second most prevalent mineral in bone after calcium but gets far less attention. Almonds, whole grains, dried fruit, green leafy vegetables will supply magnesium. It is important to ensure adequate magnesium levels in the diet.

Vitamin D impacts on intestinal absorption of calcium and this vitamin is vital for good utilisation of calcium in the body. Oily fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines are rich in vitamin D.  (If you're unsure about the quality of fish with regard to heavy metals, consider taking extra vitamin D supplements, such as BioCare High Strength Liquid BioMulsion D- two small lemon flavoured drops will provide 2000iu.)

The positive news is that there is much that you can do to take responsibility for maintaining your own bone health. Ensuring dietary intake of important bone nutrients from as young as 35 years of age may help to keep bones healthy and strong.

Vitamin K has a very important role in bone formation, which has only recently been researched.  It is needed to make osteocalcin, a protein in bone, which hardens calcium. Vitamin K exists in two forms - vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) the most abundant in western diets, found in foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, olive oil, cheese and soya beans. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is much less common because the principal source is fermented soya beans, which are more prevalent in Eastern diets. K2 is much easier to absorb than K1, and remains active in the body for longer - whilst vitamin K1 is utilised within hours, vitamin K2 can remain active in the body for several days.

The Right Diet

Eating a diet rich in alkaline foods, which are predominantly fruit and vegetables, and lower in animal protein helps keep the body tissues from becoming too acid. Whilst adequate levels of acid in the stomach are necessary to ensure proper breakdown of foods providing calcium, an 'over acid' body may result in calcium from bones being utilised to buffer the excess acidity in the tissues.

Eat plenty of foods containing plant oestrogens. Asian populations, which maintain good bone health, consume much higher amounts of these foods than we do in the West. Good dietary sources are flaxseeds (milled for better absorption), soya beans (edamame beans require hardly any cooking and can be found in the supermarket freezer), lentils, chickpeas, aduki beans, oats and whole grains.

Get Moving!

Regular exercise helps challenge your skeleton and build up bone density. Weight-bearing exercise is the most effective - such as brisk walking, running, dancing, tennis or trampoline.