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DUBBED the silent epidemic, osteoporosis will cause one in two women and one in five men over 50 in Britain to suffer broken bones. But the latest research (ref 1) shows that supplements can stop bone erosion. As Just Vitamins launches a unique and exclusive new product to the UK – Osteo4 - we examine who is at risk from the condition and which supplements may help improve bone health. OSTEOPOROSIS – THE SILENT EPIDEMIC Our bones are essential to our well-being, but gradually lose their density as part of the ageing process. For half of women and a fifth of men over 50 in the UK severe bone thinning – called osteoporosis - will cause a painful broken bone that can lead to loss of mobility and, eventually, social isolation. Our bones are made up of an outer shell and an inner mesh which looks like honeycomb. Osteoporosis causes some of these inner honeycomb structures to become thin or break, which makes the sufferer’s bones more likely to break or fracture. The condition can also cause a loss of strength and height. Because we can not feel or see this thinning process the first sign of osteoporosis is often only when a broken bone occurs, commonly in the wrists, hips or spine. Sometimes bones become so fragile that a powerful cough breaks a rib or the smallest slip whilst walking fractures a hip. In fact nearly half a million older people end up in hospital or a nursing home in Britain each year after falling and breaking a hip, caused at least in part by osteoporosis. Only three out of four ever go home again. WHO IS AT RISK? Women are at a higher risk of osteoporosis than men because they are born with less bone mass and, because of hormonal changes, they lose bone mass more quickly. Others at a higher risk include: • Postmenopausal women • Women who have had an early menopause or hysterectomy with the removal of both ovaries before the age of 45 • Women who have had children • Women with small bone structure • Women with large hip bone structure • Heavy alcohol users • Heavy caffeine users • Smokers • Women on high protein diets • People with a family history of osteoporosis • Women who are diabetic with thyroid disease • Women with asthma or other lung diseases • People who take glucocorticoids (for example, cortisone or prednisone prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis) • People with medical conditions which leave them immobile for long periods of time • People with medical conditions which affect the absorption of foods, such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease • Men with low levels of testosterone • People who have broken a bone after only a minor fall • Women who are underweight or who have developed an eating disorder.If you think you may be at high risk of osteoporosis you should discuss your medical history with your doctor who may refer you for a DXA scan, a simple and painless way of measuring bone density. OSTEO4 – A UNIQUE WAY TO BOOST YOUR BONES Just Vitamins has just launched an exclusive new supplement for bones - Osteo4 - which contains the highest amounts of calcium and magnesium of any bone supplement on sale in Britain (as at 21/2/08). As the name suggests Osteo4 contains four bone supplements in one: calcium, magnesium, vitamin K and vitamin D. Calcium works to fill holes in old, worn-out bone made by cells called osteoclasts and magnesium helps to keep bones strong. Vitamin K is essential for bone formation and repair and vitamin D is needed for the proper absorption of calcium from the intestines. By taking just two Osteo4 tablets a day we guarantee that you will receive 100 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium and magnesium. No other similar product offers you this. Because our intestines can only absorb less than 500mg of calcium at a time our tablets are specially formulated to deliver 400mg of calcium each. The majority of nutritionists recommend that women of menopausal age should take at least 1200mg of calcium every day to help slow down bone loss. Nutritionists go further by advising the majority of women – including teenagers – to take calcium to protect bone health later on in life. Each Osteo4 caplet provides: Calcium as carbonate – 1112mg, providing 400mg of pure calcium per caplet Magnesium as oxide – 250mg Vitamin D – 1mcg Vitamin K – 25mcg FREE NUTRITION ADVICE Call the Just Vitamins FREE Nutrition Advice line on 024 7669 5115 if you would like more information. Our advisors are available Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm.
REFERENCES 1. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 19, No. 90002, 83S-99S (2000)
