In a podcast with Tanya Borowski, a pioneer in nutrition and functional medicine, Dr Taher Mahmud from the London Osteoporosis Clinic shed light on the importance of dietary products in maintaining bone health. Tanya discussed how a balanced intake of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals contributes to better bone health and prevents Osteoporosis, a deteriorating Bone health condition.
Understanding Osteoporosis and Nutrition:
Essential Nutrients for Bone Composition
Bone Health is linked to your food intake. The food consists of key nutrients that make up your bone, including:
- Vitamins
- Several essential fatty acids
Choosing the Right Foods for Bone Health
Choosing better food rich in key nutrients might help manage osteoporosis. Important nutrients include:
- Omega 3
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Other essential minerals
The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Foods:
Tanya pointed out how inflammation could be a possible factor in bone degradation by turning on osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. She again emphasized the dietary choices that include anti-inflammatory foods to maintain a balance and reduce the possible factors that could lead to conditions like osteoporosis.
Vitamin D and Hormonal Balance:
One of the main points emphasized in this podcast was the importance of ensuring adequate Calcium intake, as calcium constitutes or facilitates the absorption of Vitamin D. Tanya discussed how Vitamin D, alongside a well-regulated balance of parathyroid and thyroid hormones, is essential for effective bone metabolism. These hormones are crucial for maintaining a balance in how the body utilizes calcium and other crucial minerals that affect overall bone health.
The Role of Protein in Preventing Osteoporosis:
The importance of protein goes beyond muscle integrity, as it is essential for bone integrity. Tanya highlighted the necessity of integrating suitable levels of protein for bone integrity. She explained how protein aids in building lean muscle mass, which supports and protects the bones. This dual role of protein highlights the importance of constituting better bone health and a holistic approach to dietary planning to ensure the skeletal system remains strong and constitutes for preventing osteoporosis.
Collagen: A Historical Perspective on Bone Health
The conversation also covered historical diet practices in which people consumed more natural sources of collagen, such as bones and cartilage. Modern diets have significantly diminished this practice, which might negatively affect bone health.
Tanya noted the modern shift away from these nutrient-rich sources and how it could harm optimal bone density.
Comprehensive Nutrient Intake for Bone Health:
Key Insights and Balanced Diet
In conclusion, our discussion with Tanya provided profound insights into the essential nutrients required for bone health and the importance of a balanced diet. She advocated for a diet that includes a variety of nutrients to support not just bone health but overall physiological functions.
Importance of Regular Health Assessments
Additionally, Tanya stressed the importance of regular health assessments, such as DEXA scans for bone density and blood tests for vitamin levels, to proactively monitor and optimise bone health. These tests help identify potential deficiencies and assess the risk of osteoporosis, allowing for timely interventions to prevent osteoporosis.
Proactive Health Monitoring
This comprehensive nutrient intake and monitoring approach is fundamental in maintaining robust health and preventing bone-related diseases.
