What is osteopenia?
Osteopenia is a condition which occurs when the body does not make new bone as quickly as it reabsorbs old bone. When your bones are weaker than the normal but not so far gone that they break easily, which is the hallmark of osteoporosis?
Your bones are usually at their densest when you are about the age of 30. Osteopenia, if it happens at all, usually occurs after the age of 50. The exact age depends on how strong your bones are when you are young. If they are hardy, you may never get osteopenia. If your bones are not naturally dense, you may get it earlier.
Causes of osteoporosis
- Problems occur by your diet, lack of exercise and unhealthy habits can contribute to this condition.
- A lack of calcium or vitamin D
- Not enough exercise, especially strength training
- Smoking
- Too much alcohol
- Carbonated beverages
Symptoms of osteoporosis
- A gradual loss of height and an accompanying stooped posture
- Backache
- Fractures of the spine, wrist, or hip.
Here are the top home remedies for osteoporosis.
1. Prunes
By eating prunes on a daily basis will help to prevent fractures and osteoporosis. Prunes are good for your bones due to their high concentration of polyphenols, an antioxidant which helps to reduce bone loss. Plus, prunes are a good source of boron and copper, two trace minerals are essential for bone formation.
Eat at least two to three dried plums daily, and gradually increase the amount to six to 10 per day to prevent osteoporosis.
2. Coconut Oil
The coconut oil can reverse all the effects that are caused by estrogen deficiency including the loss of bone density. The antioxidant compounds in coconut oil that have the potential to maintain bone structure and prevent bone loss due to hormonal changes.
Coconut oil also helps the human body to absorb calcium and magnesium, two essential nutrients that required for developing and maintaining strong bones.
Taking three tablespoons of coconut oil daily can help you to prevent osteoporosis and five tablespoons daily can help reverse it.
You can also externally apply the coconut oil over your entire body and massage gently for a few minutes. Then take a hot bath. When done on a regular basis, this amazing remedy will have a positive effect on your bone health.
You can also, use coconut oil for cooking.
3. Almond Milk
Generally, almond milk contains a good amount of calcium and hence it is a good remedy for osteoporosis. The flavonoids that are present in almond milk helps to reduce the number of free radicals present in the body, which in turn helps protect against osteoporosis.
Soak one cup of almonds in plain water overnight. The next day, remove the peels and put the almonds in a blender with two to two and one-half cups of plain water. Blend them into a smooth puree, add a little cinnamon powder and honey to it according to taste and blend again. Strain the solution with a cheesecloth and strainer. Drink this almond milk daily.
4. Sesame Seeds
According to an Ayurveda, an effective way to prevent an osteoporosis is to include sesame seeds in your daily diet. Sesame seeds are rich in calcium; this is one of the essential nutrients bone health.
Chew a handful of roasted sesame seeds which are white, daily in the morning. Alternatively, mix one teaspoon full of roasted and ground sesame seeds in one cup of warm milk. Drink this twice daily.
5. Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements help to increase bone mineral density due to the omega-3 essential fatty acids and vitamin D content in it.
The omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil inhibit the activation of factors which lead to bone and muscle loss by minimizing the bone breakdown.
A simple option is to take 1,000 mg of fish oil supplements once daily with a meal.
In addition to diet do some exercises, quitting smoking and also avoiding excessive use of alcohol and cola will also reduce your risk of the bone loss. There are medicines for treating bone thinning. But these are more commonly used if you have progressed past osteopenia to the more serious condition of an osteoporosis. Medicines which may be used for osteopenia include bisphosphonates, raloxifene, and hormone replacement.
