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The Western Botanicals Archive
Suggested
Supplements

Herbal Calcium
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Too often we see bones with too little calcium and arteries and joints with too much calcium all in the same person. Why is it that the body puts the calcium in the wrong place? Simply put, it is our body's weight that puts a variable amount of stress on our bones, and "tells" them how calcified or strong they should be. The thin person will not have the day-by-day, hour-by-hour stress of weight and gravity that will result in strong bones. The drug fosamax works by trying to move the calcium from the soft tissue to the bones. Often resulting in soft tissue problems in the esophagus and bowel. There really is no other way to stop the bone loss and rebuild bones than to increase body weight. Weight bearing exercise can certainly help, but starving yourself or exercising excessively is not the answer. It is far better to do what nature intended for postmenopausal women and put the weight around the waist, hips and buttocks where it belongs.
The most common "disease" of peri- and postmenopausal women, is hypothyroidism. An under-active thyroid gland can be viewed as a drastic response of the body slow down the metabolism so the body will gain weight thus preserving the bones from losing calcium. Taking a thyroid replacement drug may increase the woman's energy helping her maintain her slender figure but she will continue on the path of osteoporosis.
Hot flashes are a normal phenomenon of the change of life. Mild hot flashes are fine, but severe hot flashes that involve intense sweating and prevent sleep indicate estrogen levels are falling too low. Increased fat stores in the body not only protect against osteoporosis, they also help retain estrogen in the body. After all, estrogen is fat-soluble and the body uses the fat stores to keep enough estrogen available to protect the bones. Having enough stores of healthy fat also helps maintain enough estrogen in the body to prevent hot flashes. Very overweight women can also get hot flashes, of course, by this is due to excessive sugar intake and the resultant hyperinsulinemia. The only true solution to the problem of osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, severe hot flashes and all the other associated peri- and postmenopausal symptoms is a lifetyle and an attitude about life that allow you to accept your bodyÕs fluctuating weight demands with the kind of reverence and respect it deserves. The diet you follow should not be one that keeps you eternally thin, but allows your body to find its ideal weight which is at least two dress sizes greater than your weight as a young woman. Once this is accomplished, calcium can be restored to the bones.
The osteoporosis patient cries out for liberation from dieting, exercise regimens, advertisements and the male-dominated culture that alienates women from rejoicing in the sensuality of their own bodies.
Our Recommendations:
Avoid:
Low-fat foods, Refined and processed grains and cereals
Emphasize:
Plenty of good animals fats, butter, cream and Celtic Sea Salt
Focus on a "less-busy" life and more good fats in the diet.
Supplements:
Herbal Calcium - 3 capsules 2 to 3 times daily
Cod Liver Oil (enough for 10,000 IU of Vitamin A daily)
Celtic Sea Salt - at least a good pinch daily
Bone Broth - boil bones in broth to release the minerals
Therapeutics:
Physical exercise and walking. Weight-bearing exercise will cause the bones to strengthen. You should expect to acclimate to your ideal weight within six to twelve months.
Here is some more detail about more specific conditions.
Prolonged Menstrual Cycle
Shortened Menstrual Cycle
Dysmenorrhea - painful cramps
Endometriosis
Vaginitis
Menopause
~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen ~
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