Osteoporosis is on the whole a largely preventable condition that decreases the bone density which in tern causes them to become brittle; this increases the risks of spinal vertebrae compression and fractures, particularly in the hip, wrist, and spine. Caucasian and Asian postmenopausal women are the most affected group from osteoporosis. The hormone oestrogen protects women against bone loss before menopause. The symptoms of osteoporosis are largely unnoticeable until the incidences of broken bones become fact. Symptoms to be aware of and to look out for are back and neck pain, dowager's hump, diminished height and rounded shoulders.

Osteoporosis is caused by many factors, the dominance of oestrogen to progesterone, the leaching of calcium from the bone due to excessive protein consumption and deficiency of calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin C, silica, zinc, boron and phosphorus in the diet, which are all vital for healthy bone growth.

To help combat osteoporosis it is best to cut down on animal protein intake, studies have shown that vegetarians suffer less from osteoporosis. This is because animal protein increases the loss of calcium through urine; the loss of calcium increases the risk of osteoporosis. Another agent that increases the loss of calcium through urine is dietary salt. Cutting down the intake of dietary salt and processed and fast foods which tend to be high in salt content will help with osteoporosis. Decreasing the amount of coffee, caffeine-containing carbonated soft drinks and tea will help with osteoporosis, like protein intake and salt, caffeine also increases the loss of calcium through urine. So cutting out caffeine is a good idea. Many carbonated soft drinks also have a substance called phosphoric acid which has been linked to the loss of calcium and the increase of bone fractures. Increasing the amount of isoflavones rich Soya foods such as tofu will help protect against osteoporosis. Increasing the consumption of oily fish, evening primrose and flaxseed oil will help to increase calcium deposition in the bones due to the high amounts of essential fatty acids these products have.

Giving up smoking will help with osteoporosis because it increases bone loss. Taking up exercise especially weight bearing exercise will help with osteoporosis. Be careful of dieting, excessive quick weight loss has been linked with osteoporosis.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from osteoporosis.

Bone mineral complex

Boron

Copper

Evening primrose oil

Fish Oil

Flaxseed oil

Folic Acid

Magnesium

Manganese

Multivitamin and multiminerals

Silica

Soya

Strontium

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B6

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Zinc