December 09

For multiple reasons, menopausal and post-menopausal women face a significantly increased risk of developing osteoporosis. [1] Primarily, this is due to the fact that when women undergo menopause, they effectively cease to produce the hormone, oestrogen. Because menopause causes oestrogen deficiency, which is linked with the development of osteoporosis, a logical intervention to guard against the onset of osteoporosis is supplementation with oestrogens. However, long-term treatment with oestrogens may be limited due to its potentially negative health effects: it has repeatedly been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women [2-4], an increased risk of endometrial adenocarcinoma and endometrial hyperplasia.[5] Recent focus has centred around the phytoestrogen compounds, particularly soy isoflavones, which are naturally occurring and structurally resemble endogenous oestrogens, and are contained in H-Regulator.

The two principle nutrients required for bone health and development are calcium and vitamin D, which are critical during pregnancy. Calcium is high regulated within the body with stores located in bone. However, if nutrient intake of calcium is not sufficient, then calcium is sacrificed from bone. During pregnancy, the developing fetus requires calcium for bone development which may be enhanced with vitamin D.

Men ages 65 and older should get screened for osteoporosis. Many men are undiagnosed until it is too late, resulting in a higher risk of falls, bone fracture and disability or death. Normally associated with aging women, many men have also been found to be affected. This is often due to a sedentary lifestyle, an inadequate diet and other lifestyle factors such as smoking.

Arthritis. As time goes by, many of the people we know and love will begin to experience the symptoms: sore joints, swelling, inflammation, stiffness, impaired mobility and pain. It’s one of those conditions that is a part of life and the general ‘wear and tear’ that goes hand-in-hand with aging. As we get older, our joints, and the layers of cartilage that prevent our bones from rubbing directly against one another, begin to show the signs of constant use and abuse over a lifetime. They wear thin and deteriorate.