The importance of healthy aging through diet, lifestyle, and supplementation controlled by a health professional is increasingly being prese...
The importance of healthy aging through diet, lifestyle, and supplementation controlled by a health professional is increasingly being presented. Obviously, as we age, our bodies and organs wear out, also slowing down the different systems in our body.
In this sense, bone health is one of the main concerns of aging. Nutritional interventions can play an important role in the rejuvenation of bones and joints, promoting their care and health maintenance. For this, one of the options is natural supplementation, that is, capsules, tablets, or powdered products based on nutrients that favor the regular function of the bone system.
Who needs nutritional support?
Women especially need bone support as they age. "Of the 10 million Americans diagnosed with osteoporosis, it is estimated that 80% of them are women," according to some studies carried out in the American country. This is because estrogen is essential for optimal bone health, and women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis compared to men, due to the hormonal changes at menopause.
For this reason, according to experts in the field, "supplementation from an earlier age can be beneficial, even young adult women are often interested in preventive nutrients if the fracture or premature bone loss runs genetically in the family." However, men also need support, especially after the age of 50.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements
It is an essential combination for bone health. Our needs for these nutrients change with age. Bone tissue constantly changes and regenerates throughout life, especially during childhood and adolescence, when new bone tissue forms and breaks down, allowing bones to grow. Instead, in adulthood, bone degradation begins, leading to an inevitable loss of bone mass as we age.
Therefore, a balanced daily calcium intake is important at all stages of life. In addition, vitamin D has a fundamental role in calcium absorption and bone mineralization.
Vitamin K for bones
In this case, we focus on vitamin K2, with the ability to stimulate the cellular activity of osteoblasts. These are the specialized cells that regulate bone mineralization. It also contributes to the prevention of calcium accumulation where it is not desired.
On the other hand, there are studies that show that vitamin D3 combined with K2 is very beneficial for both strong bones and cardiovascular health. Good nutritional support can be food supplements since menaquinones are difficult to obtain from food alone.
The importance of collagen for bones and skin
It is one of the star ingredients in the field of dietary supplements, food, and beverages. This is because collagen stimulates tissue regeneration and helps reduce and prevent joint pain, loss of bone density, and aging skin.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Like other naturally produced nutrients in the body, its production slows with age, so supplementation through food, supplements, or nutricosmetics is very important, especially for women.
The future of bone health
Most consumers begin to buy nutritional supplements for bones and joints when they begin to suffer from some of the symptoms mentioned in the article. However, prevention is recommended with a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, and, if you need it and your doctor advises it, a food supplement that strengthens your bone and joint system.
Products for older adults should focus on preventing bone loss. This is where foods high in calcium and vitamin D come into play. At the moment, even though the bone health market is still flat, there is a large and proactive consumer base looking to keep their bones healthy.
References
Marshall K et al. “Inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake and osteoporosis risk in older Americans living in poverty with food insecurities.” Plus One. Published online ahead of print on July 8, 2020.
MacLaughlin J et al. “Aging decreases the capacity of human skin to produce vitamin D3.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 76, no. 4 (Oct 1985): 1536-1538
Harvard Health Letter. “Do We Really Need All That Calcium?” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. Published online March 2008. Accessed here. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-we-really-need-all-that-calcium
Xueyan F et al. “Multiple vitamin K forms exist in dairy foods.” Current Developments in Nutrition. Published online June 1, 2017.
Iwamoto J. “Vitamin K₂ therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.” Nutrients, vol. 6, no. 5 (May 16, 2014): 1971-1980
Toshiro S. et al. “Comparison of menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7 bioavailability in healthy women.” NutritionJournal. Published online November 12, 2012.
Juha TF et al. “An overview of the beneficial effects of hydrolyzed collagen intake on joint and bone health and on skin aging.” Hospital Nutrition, vol. 32 suppl (July 18, 2015): 62-66
König D et al. “Specific collagen peptides improve bone mineral density and bone markers in postmenopausal women—a randomized controlled study.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 1 (January 16, 2018): 97
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