Osteoporosis Ayurveda Natural Remedies

 

Osteoporosis can be seen in both men and women during their late 50’s. It is a common among women especially during their postmenopausal stage.

 

 

Studies mentioned that around 14 million people in Australia have low bone density and osteoporosis, placing them at a much higher risk for osteoporosis. One in two women and one among four men suffer from osteoporosis in their late 50’s.

 

 

 

What is Osteoporosis?

 

Osteoporosis is a health condition, which affects bones, causing them to become fragile, weak and brittle. Bones are more likely to fracture (break) due to weaken bones.

 

 

The actual meaning of osteoporosis is “porous bone”. When a healthy bone is looked under a microscope, it looks like a honeycomb. The bones of patients suffering from osteoporosis are found to have pores and spaces in bony honeycomb.

 

 

These pores and spaces are larger and bigger than healthy bones. This condition is termed as osteoporosis. In this condition, the density of bones becomes lesser and they become prone to the fractures. Generally, fractures of wrist, spinal vertebrae and hip are common in patients suffering from osteoporosis.

 

 

Causes of Osteoporosis

 

 

Bone is a kind of living tissue, which is persistently being absorbed as well as replaced. Osteoporosis occurs mostly when the creation of a new bone does not keep up with removal of the old bone.

 

 

The human body needs phosphate and calcium for the formation of bones. Bone density and strength is good in early 20’s and it starts reducing from the age of 35.

 

 

Throughout youth, the human body uses both calcium and phosphate to produce bones. Calcium is essential for healthy functioning of organs such as heart and brain. To ensure that these vital organs function properly, our body reabsorbs calcium, which is stored in bones to maintain calcium levels in blood.

 

 

If the body does not have any adequate calcium supplies or if body does not absorb calcium from diet, bone tissue and bone production might suffer.

 

 

Thus, bones become fragile and weak which leads to fractures. The person might be unaware of the disease even when he sustains a fracture. By then, the damage may be serious or this disease might be in its advanced stage.

 

 

The major cause of osteoporosis is lack of certain kind of hormones, particularly androgen in men and estrogen in women. White or Asian Women, especially after their postmenopausal stage, are more prone to this disease. Lower estrogen levels and menopause increase the risks of osteoporosis in women.

 

 

Inadequate intake of vitamin D and calcium, age related alterations in endocrine glands (lower estrogen levels) lead to bone loss. In addition, family history of osteoporosis can also lead to this disease.

 

 

Thyroid problems, overuse of corticosteroids, bone cancer, lack of muscle usage, genetic disorders, low calcium intake, use of certain kind of medications can cause osteoporosis.

 

 

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

 

 

Osteoporosis slowly develops over years. In the early stages, this disease might show no symptoms.  In the later stages, it may cause:

 

 

1. Low neck
2. Back pain and
3. Dull pain in muscles and bones

 

 

Serious symptoms of Osteoporosis

 

 

• Fracture is the initial symptom of advanced osteoporosis.
• Fracture is also as a result of a fall.
• Loss of height is yet another symptom, which leads to stooped posture. It is also known as dowager’s hump.
• Hip, wrist and spine fractures or collapsed vertebrae are few symptoms.

 

 

In older people, fracture of bones might lead to long-term disability. Some older people can also develop characteristic stooping. This happens when there is a fracture in bones of spine thereby making it very difficult to support body weight.

 

 

Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

 

 

Several hormones in body can affect bone turnover process. If you have problems related to hormone producing glands, then you are more prone to have osteoporosis. Few hormones related conditions can trigger osteoporosis.

 

 

1. Disorders in adrenal glands such as Cushing’s syndrome
2. Hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism
3. Reduction in the hormonal levels of testosterone and estrogen
4. Disorders in pituitary glands

 

 

In addition, a few risk factors increase the risk of broken bones and osteoporosis.

 

 

1. Parental history of osteoporosis
2. Family history of hip fracture
3. BMI 19 or less
4. Long term usage of high dosage oral corticosteroids
5. Malabsorption problems
6. Heavy smoking and drinking
7. Rheumatoid arthritis
8. Some kind of medications that are used for the treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer affect hormone levels.

 

 

Complications of Osteoporosis

 

 

Bone fractures especially in hip and spine cause serious complications of osteoporosis. Hip fractures that result from sudden or unexpected fall can result in long-term disability and sometimes, even death in older patients due to postoperative complications.

 

 

Spinal fractures might also occur where spinal vertebrae becomes weak. This further leads to back pain, loss of height and a stooped posture.

 

 

Osteoporosis in Ayurveda

 

 

From an Ayurvedic prospective, the reason behind osteoporosis can be explained as the aggravation of Vata humor. The excess Vata in bones can lead to breaking of bones. In Ayurveda, osteoporosis is known as a vata disorder. Osteoporosis is known as AsthiSushirta where ASTHI also known as bone and SUSHIRTA known as porousness.

 

 

As per ayurvedic principles, osteoporosis occurs due to two major reasons:

1. First is due to poor metabolism. It is also known as Mand-asthyagni. It means bone experience loss of fire that helps in making bones.
2. Second is due to imbalance in three humors in bone and skeleton.

 

 

Osteoporosis Treatment Natural

 

 

Ayurvedic natural treatment involves subsiding vitiated Vata humor. It includes herbs and ayurvedic medicines that help in formation of bones and prevent loss of minerals from the bones. Detailed ayurvedic treatment is discussed below:

 

 

Natural Treatment for Osteoporosis with Herbs

 

 

Ayurvedic herbs are promising treatment for preventing bone loss and restoring bone mineral density. Ayurvedic principles advise the use of herbs according to the body type and dominance of a particular humor in the disease, so the detailed consultation becomes necessary before using these herbs.

 

 

Pure herbal ayurved clinic in Melbourne, Australia is specialized in ayurvedic treatments and ayurvedic health evaluation. You can consult ayurvedic doctors in this clinic for the treatment and prescription of useful herbs to treat osteoporosis naturally. Some of beneficial herbs in osteoporosis are given underneath for your reference, but should be used only after consulting ayurvedic physician.

 

 

Hadjod (Cissus Quadrangularis)

 

This herb has several bone healing and haemostatic properties. It helps union of bones during fractures. It also helps improve deposition of calcium in body. hadjod can help fasten the process of bone healing. It is also beneficial in decreased bone mineral density, osteoporosis, muscle pain, osteoarthritis and gout.

 

Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna)

 

The bark extract of this herb helps treat osteoporosis and other bone disorders. It helps in secretion of hormones in women and enhances synthesis of bones. Disturbance in the levels of hormones can lead to loss of bone tissues. Cooling and astringent properties of arjuna can help heal wounds. Astringent properties of this herb can help improve bone health.

 

Asoka (Sarca Ashoka)

 

Asoka facilitates hormone utilization. This herb is mostly used to arrest bleeding and acts as uterine sedative and tonic. Due to its astringent properties, it helps balance kapha and pitta disorders. This herb when combined along with other herbs helps treat osteoporosis. It helps increase the levels of estrogen in women and this can further prevent loss of bone strength.

 

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

 

Ashwagandha has several benefits and is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This herb can help in healing bone fractures and plays a vital role in cases of osteoporosis. It helps to prevent bone loss and corrects hormonal and neurological problems.

 

Lakh (Laksha) Laccifer Lacca

 

Laksha herb controls high kapha and vata disorders. It helps to treat osteoporosis and other bone and joint related disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis as well. It also acts as a natural immunity enhancer. It helps in management of osteopenia, which is forerunner of osteoporosis. It also helps to heal fractures. It enhances deposition and absorption of calcium in bones.

 

 

Natural Remedies for Osteoporosis-Ayurvedic Therapies

 

 

 

Basti Treatment

 

Basti is used to treat the Vata disorders. It is highly beneficial in osteoporosis. It pacifies vata and helps to remove toxins from the body by cleansing colon.

 

Ayurvedic massage

 

For osteoporosis, there are special ayurvedic oils are used for Ayurvedic massage. Ayurvedic therapist should do massage on patients with osteoporosis. You can book a massage session with specialist of Pure herbal ayurved clinic, Melbourne.

 

 

Natural Ayurvedic medicines for Osteoporosis

 

 

The following Ayurvedic products are known to be very effective for treating Osteoporosis naturally with herbal recipes. 

 

 

1. Asokarishtam
2. Aswagandharishtam
3. Balarishtam
4. Dasamoolarishtam
5. Bala awagandhadhi Thailam
6. Dhanwantharam Thailam
7. Narayana Thailam
8. Dhanwantharam 101 capsule
9. Ksheerabala 101 capsules
10. Dasamoola kashayam
11. Gulguluthiktakam Kashayam
12. Rasnadi kashayam
13. Chandraprabha vatika
14. Dhanwantharam Gulika
15. Yogaraja Gulgulu vatika
16. Sathavaryadi gritham
17. Aswagandhadi lehyam
18. Brahma rasayanam
19. Chyavana prasam
20. Vidharyadhi lehyam

 

 

Yoga for Osteoporosis

 

 

Yoga is natural drugless treatment for osteoporosis, but patients suffering from osteoporosis should do yoga under the supervision of yoga expert using yoga as treatment. Yoga stimulates bone building capacity of the body, gives strength to the bones and joints, and enhances distribution of important minerals in the bones. The yogic breathing exercises are beneficial on preventing bone loss and restoring the bone mass. Other yoga postures include Tree pose (Vrksasana), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana), Parsvakonasana (Side-angle pose), Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana), Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana), Camel pose (Ustrasana), Cobra pose (Bhujangasana), Setu Bandhasana, Locust pose (Salabhasana), Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining leg stretch).

 

 

Diet and Lifestyle for Osteoporosis

 

 

Osteoporosis is a silent killing disease and patients may not notice their bones are getting weakened. Few changes in regular lifestyle can help people having osteoporosis to get relief and strengthen bones. Few changes in diet and lifestyle are essential.

 

 

1. Practicing simple exercises and yoga postures every day can provide flexibility to bones and muscles.
2. Intake of caffeinated products, alcohol and tea should be completely avoided to prevent the calcium loss in blood.
3. Increase the intake of water for quicker absorption of calcium.
4. Intake of green veggies and fruits should be increased, especially in people suffering from bone disorders for attaining more vitamins and minerals.
5. Few dietary changes such as limiting high protein foods and including foods rich in calcium and vitamin D are recommended.
6. Wear low-heeled footwear with non-slip soles is better to prevent fall.

 

 

Ayurveda has good results in prevention as well as in treatment of osteoporosis. Ayurvedic natural calcium supplement can be started in late 50s. You should consult Dr. Gurnam Saini, one of the best ayurvedic doctor in Melbourne, Australia for more details about ayurvedic supplements and ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Gurnam Saini

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery

MD Alternative Medicine

Panchkarma Detox Expert