Broken Bones

Because of the combined stresses of the broken bone and immobilization of part or all of the body, much body protein is broken down and the urinary losses of nutrients are high. The diet required for repair, therefore, should be particularly rich in protein, all anti-stress factors, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid, as well as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, oil, and lecithin. One would not expect a normal protein intake to be a limiting factor, yet in one study of 55 persons whose bones refused to knit, giving 160 grams of protein daily as the only dietary improvement brought complete and rapid healing. Digestive enzymes with bile and hydrochloric acid taken with each meal usually accelerate repair; and if the surrounding tissues have been damaged, a high vitamin-E intake prevents scarring and stiffness.

Inflammations Of The Bone

Osteitis, osteomyelitis, and osteitis deformans are types of inflammation of the bone marked by swelling, tenderness, pain, and perhaps infection. In osteitis deformans, brought on by severe stress, the bones of adults demineralize so rapidly that they actually bend; and the stress inhibits the formation of new proteins needed for the bone base. Studies with radioactive calcium, however, show that when the diet is extremely adequate, recalcification is also unusually rapid.

As always when inflammation is the major problem, the adrenals must first be helped to produce more cortisone. In addition to foods needed for repairing bones, the anti-stress formula should be taken every two or three hours around the clock with highly fortified milk until the inflammation subsides; and liver and a cooked green leafy vegetable should be eaten daily. If the bone is infected, still larger amounts of vitamin C may be needed.

When all nutrients are generously supplied and absorption and retention are increased, recovery is often rapid. Not long ago a man who had been an invalid for more than two years because of osteitis deformans was brought in a wheelchair to see me. He had made no progress on a fairly adequate diet, but recovered quickly after enzymes, hydrochloric acid, lecithin, magnesium, and large amounts of vitamin C and pantothenic acid were taken daily.

Paget's disease is a form of osteitis deformans that, though said to be congenital, can also be helped by an adequate diet. For example, Mr. Husted Meyer, of Leland, Michigan, suffered from this disease so severely that his painful spine bent and became inflexible, his skull narrowed, other bones enlarged, and he could walk no more than 100 yards. Through carefully applied nutrition, he has regained flexibility, stands straighter, walks easily, and leads an active, normal life. X-rays show that the disease has been arrested.

The Diet For Bone Abnormalities

Persons suffering from osteoporosis or fractured, broken, inflamed, or infected bones should probably have no less than 2.5 grams (2,500 milligrams) of calcium and 500 milligrams of magnesium daily. One 8-ounce glass of milk, buttermilk, or commercial yogurt supplies 250 milligrams of calcium. Calcium lactate and gluconate, which contain no phosphorus, are available in both powder and tablets, alone or with magnesium oxide. The amount of calcium needed could be supplied by a combination of fresh whole or skim milk, buttermilk, yogurt, acidophilus milk, or fresh milk fortified with powdered milk, and calcium tablets or powder. The calcium in yogurt and acidophilus milk is already dissolved; hence it is more readily absorbed than that in fresh milk; and many persons: particularly elderly ones, tolerate cultured milks better than fresh.

The vitamin D given for osteoporosis has usually varied from 1,000 to 5,000 units daily. Even as few as 400 to 700 units daily has increased the blood vitamin D more than exposure to summer sun, yet some patients with osteoporosis had no vitamin D in the blood when this amount was given daily Such a small quantity allows little or none to be stored, whereas a larger amount is beneficial long after it is taken. When 5,000 units of vitamin D have been given daily, the amount of this vitamin in the blood was comparable to that found in elderly women living in the subtropics; hence this quantity appears to be sufficient.

Unless the demands of stress are met and the diet is adequate in every other respect, little improvement should be expected. Usually enzyme and hydrochloric-acid tablets and lecithin should be taken temporarily, especially by older individuals.

To prevent misery and the expense of hospital and medical bills, every senior citizen should be urged to drink more milk and to supplement his diet with calcium tablets and/or powder and vitamin D. In fact, it appears that any person who wishes to enjoy the twilight years without an aching back should give particular attention to his calcium and vitamin D intake from the age of 40 on.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Male Enhancement Facts 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 Enhancement Products This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.