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Kidney stone prevention
I have been taking calcium supplements to protect against osteoporosis but I am now concerned about the risk of developing kidney stones. How can I protect myself and is there anything else I can safely do to build and maintain good bone density?
Some 20% of the calcium in our bones is reabsorbed and replaced every year, as old bone cells break down and new ones form to keep the skeleton strong. This is an ongoing process and what it means is in adults, the whole skeleton is effectively replaced every seven years. Calcium is important but it’s a mistake to think it will work on its own.
To build and maintain these healthy bones, you need a mesh of micro-fibres for the calcium and other minerals, including magnesium, to cling on to. This mesh, called the osteoid, is made up of proteins, collagen, elastin and various glucosamine polymers, which is why glucosamine is important too. To build these proteins, the body needs vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper and zinc. To make glucosamine polymers the body needs glucosamine and manganese and to activate the whole matrix, you need vitamin K.
Once this matrix is built and active, it is then impregnated with the calcium and magnesium salts the body uses to form solid bone. But the single most important substance the body needs to make and keep strong bones is one few people have even heard of - Ipriflavone. This is a flavanoid and an isolate of soy which has been shown in adult clinical trials to reduce bone loss and promote bone-building.
You could also invest in a Rebounder or Bouncer; a kind of mini round trampoline for the home. These were popular in fitness centres in the 1980s but are valued by alternative health practitioners because they stimulate lymphatic drainage and help build bone density.
NASA uses rebounders to help astronauts keep their bones stong and scientists in Nottingham have shown how just 50 jumps a day can increase bone strength by 4%. You can buy one here from Wholistic Research on 01707-262686. It costs £77.95 plus p&p. Ask for details of the accompanying book and video.
Ostivone is a new American supplement that provides Ipiflavone plus calcium and vitamin D. You will need to supplement magnesium (you need a daily dose that is half the amount of calcium you are using) separately. Ostivone costs £14.95 for 60 tablets. Mail order from the Nutricentre (0207-436 0422) and take two a day. Brazilian Quebra Pedra tea will prevent kidney stones. Mail order from Rio Trading on 01273-570987.