Your
bones are the hardest structure of your body. The compression
strength of bone is 24,000 lbs. per sq. inch, in comparison, steel
has a compression strength of 60,000 lbs. per sq. inch. The
strength of our bones comes from the quantity of two kinds of tissue,
hard bone or compact bone on the outside, and cancellous bone on the
inside, which looks more like lattice work. Bones are infiltrated
with blood vessels, veins, and nerves, the amount and quantity are
dependent on the location of where they are. Our bones have
many layers as well. The outermost layer, the periostium, is
thickest during childhood, and has the highest level of vessels, veins,
and nerves, due to the need of nutrients for rapid growth. As
we age, the periostium becomes less thick and less vascularized, thus,
it has a greater tendency to soften and weaken.
Bone
is comprised mainly of calcium and phosphorus, which makes up approximately
58% of the weight of bone. Bone contains 99% of the body’s calcium
supply, which is needed for many important functions of the body,
such as muscle contraction. Calcium however, is also in your
blood supply, and is needed as a nutrient primarily from the foods
we eat. It is a very big misconception that calciums best and
only source is only in dairy products. Many people are
actually allergic to dairy products, and are unable to synthesize
its protein. Calcium is also found in fish, vegetables, and some fruits.
The calcium levels in your blood actually affect the calcium levels
in our bone. This reciprocal relationship is controlled by your
nervous system which is housed within your backbone. Your nervous
system also controls your delicate hormonal system, as discussed in
my previous article about stress and the nervous system. Your
hormonal system affects the calcium levels in the body as well.
Hormones such as estrogen, androgens, and adrenal corticoids, all
affect calcium levels. These are hormones affected by menopause
as well.
Calcium
and phosphorus are absorbed in the small intestine and are often not
absorbed properly or adequately. Often high dosages of calcium
supplements, contrary to belief that they will make your bones strong,
are not absorbed, due to a malfunction of the nervous system and its
involvement with the intestines. Poor diet can also affect the
absorption process.
When
balance of your nervous system is disrupted or interrupted, it adversely
affects the calcium, phosphorus, and the delicate hormonal system.
Over time, pathologies of the bone begin, such as osteoporosis and
osteomalacia.
Information
however, is power, and we do have the power to do something about
these pathologies and our bone strength. Firstly, we can see
our Chiropractor regularly to specifically balance our nervous and
hormonal system. There are many gentle effective techniques
that can be used on people who already have bone pathologies.
Chiropractic can help regulate and regain optimal health and well
being to their bodies by affecting their metabolic processes via the
nervous system. Many studies show people who are under regular
Chiropractic care have stronger healthier bones and lead more
active lives that those who are not. Secondly, we can
do weight bearing activities such as walking and utilize proper weight
training to build muscle and strengthen bone. We can eat plenty
of fruits, vegetables and certain kinds of fish. Blueberries
and carrots for example, are high in calcium. However, dietary
calcium is a waste if you have a malabsorption problem. Again,
go see your Chiropractor. Limiting caffeine is also important
for it depletes calcium levels. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly,
if you do smoke, now is the perfect time to quit. Nicotine in
the blood also depletes the body of calcium and dramatically affects
bone strength, plus an array of other essential functions.
By
making simple changes in our life, at any stage or condition of our
life, we can positively affect and improve our bone strength and health.
