Understanding healthy bones - cont'd

Let's continue our exploration of bone health.

Osteoclast are cells that break down our bone and osteoblasts rebuild.  These miraculous little bone factories are in our bone marrow. There has to be a balance between the amount being broken down by osteoclasts and being built by osteoblast. If bone breaks down too quickly then Osteopenia results which eventually leads to Osteoporosis. The osteoclastic break down takes about 3-5 weeks and blasts takes about 3-5 months to rebuild complete.

What is the difference between Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.  Osteopenia is when the bones have less minerals. That is the start of the problem and if the bones become less dense and more porous, that is much more serious and is called Osteoporosis.  It really just a progression of the same problem.

Mineralization is important but also protein and good quality fats are important in building bones according to SVA.  When your are diagnosed with osteopenia you probably run to the drugstore and buy a Calcium/Magnesium supplement.  But we warned that not all Calcium supplements are created equal. There must be proper preparation of minerals from natural sources, like coral and then processed so that the molecules are small enough to actually get absorbed and assimilated into the bone.  Secondly there is a protein matrix to which these minerals are attached. So good quality easy to digest protein is essential.

And last but not least is the importance of fat as a bone builder.  SVA deep understanding of the metabolic processes of transformation form the food we eat to the tissues of the body happens in sequence. It's a cascade or one tissue to the next in this order.  Plasma, Red Blood cells, Muscle, Fat, Bone, Bone Marrow, Reproductive Tissue and finally Ojas. Ojas can be translated as hormones and neurotransmitters but also as liquid spiritual light that gives us the glow of health.

If we relate this cascade of change to bone, we see that fat is the precursor of bone. The best fats are cultured ghee (see previous post) and olive oil. And in some circumstances sesame oil. The caution is that it can be heating to the physiology.  Coconut oil is too heavy and clogging in the northern hemisphere. However if you live in a tropical climate where coconuts grow and it's hot and you sweat every day and the heat keeps your channels open then coconut oil if fine for most body types.

In SV Ayurveda as we explore various issues we see how everything is interconnected.  In the case of building strong healthy bones we have identified the importance of good fats which then leads us to a healthy liver and bile production which are necessary for fat digestion.