We have a bone to pick - a healthy bone that is, Part 1

Your health, naturally

By Len Rossi, ND, LMT

Not only do our bones give our muscles support from within, allowing us to stand, walk and move about - our bones are living. They are made up of living cells that have specific duties - some build bone, some break it down, some store nutrients or blood cells. Around these living cells is a framework of minerals that give the bones their strength, also called "mass." Normally, the osteoblasts build bone at the same, or greater, rate than the osteoclasts break it down, resulting in normal, strong bones. When this balance is interrupted, whether due to dietary deficiency or decline in hormones (primarily estrogen), more bone is broken down than is formed. The result is weak, fragile, easily breakable bones - a condition called "osteoporosis." More women than men suffer from this debilitating disease. More women of European descent suffer osteoporosis than do those of African descent. Men, however, can also suffer from this condition - usually as a result of lack of exercise and poor diet. Osteoporosis is easily preventable if a proper diet, supplementation program and exercise program are followed from as early as the teen years. Mild bone loss can be halted or reversed as well.

Dr. Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for over 30 years. After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist. Email lenrossi@comcast.net.