In the United States an estimated 4 million persons over 65 years of age suffer from severe backaches caused by abnormal bones, and their vertebrae frequently fracture merely from the weight of the body itself. Yet the problem, which can be brought on by stress and/or inadequate diet at any age, is by no means confined to the elderly. This widespread abnormality occurs in undernourished children and adults of all economic brackets, is common in young women after induced menopause and older ones following natural menopause, and in almost every person over the age of 60. It starts with the inadequate formulas given to babies, and that millions more backaches are in the making. The tragedy is that people are unaware that such a problem exists. It has long been assumed that porous bones are an inevitable part of growing older, but bones of well-fed animals become progressively stronger with age.

Such backaches can be relieved or prevented provided every nutrient needed to build and repair bones is obtained, efficiently absorbed, and not lost in the urine.

Bones Change Constantly

Like any other cells in the body, the cells forming the base of bone, or matrix, a cartilage like structure containing much tough connective tissue, continuously die and must be replaced. Bone repair or development is halted by an inadequacy of protein or of any nutrient required to utilize protein; and/or by too little vitamin C, essential to connective-tissue formation. When such deficiencies exist, so many cells die that areas become decalcified; the bones are left weak and brittle, and the minerals are freed into the blood. Repair starts immediately, however, if all nutrients are supplied.

Even though some calcium is lost daily in urine and feces, when the diet has been adequate, an excess is stored in the long bones, which, like a bank account, can be used as needed for bone repair and by the soft tissues. Conversely, when sufficient calcium is not supplied by food and none is stored, bones cannot be repaired but are robbed to supply calcium to the soft tissues; thus the amount of calcium in the blood is maintained at approximately the same level throughout life.

Phosphorus is equally as essential as calcium, but the intake in America is excessive, whereas the calcium intake in all age groups is below that recommended by the National Research Council. The excessive phosphorus causes a continuous urinary loss of calcium. Furthermore, much calcium is lost in the urine when magnesium is under supplied; and the magnesium deposited in bones is given up reluctantly even during a severe deficiency. These facts indicate that magnesium, which is usually deficient, is important in correcting bone abnormalities.

Vitamin D increases calcium absorption through the intestinal wall and reabsorption from the kidney tubules; and it controls enzymes necessary to deposit minerals in bones and teeth. Because this vitamin can be produced on the skin by summer sunshine provided the oils have not been washed off. Populations living in the tropics and subtropics have far better bones though a lower calcium intake than those in temperate zones. For example, student nurses working indoors in Michigan were found to have no vitamin D whatsoever in their blood even during the summer. The fact that calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are under supplied in the American diet could account for the widespread bone abnormalities, yet poor absorption.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a sexual health products company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of male sex facts This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.