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Young people can also suffer from osteoporosis! Here are ten foods to improve osteoporosis and traditional Chinese medicine treatments.


Release time:

2024-10-11

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined osteoporosis in adults in 1994 as "a disease characterized by low bone mass or decreased bone density, leading to deterioration of bone microarchitecture, which significantly increases the risk of fractures."

What is osteoporosis?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined osteoporosis in adults in 1994 as "a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to increased bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk." The latest definition from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) emphasizes osteoporosis as "a disease in which decreased bone strength increases the risk of fractures."

Osteoporosis is a common yet easily overlooked disease, especially prevalent among the elderly. In addition to age factors, other risk factors include genetics, poor lifestyle habits, and long-term use of certain medications. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys store essence and govern the production of bone marrow. When kidney essence is sufficient, bone marrow can continuously generate, nourishing and strengthening the bones; conversely, if it is deficient, the bones become weak. According to its etiology and pathogenesis, osteoporosis can be classified into categories such as "bone atrophy" and "bone obstruction."


Causes of osteoporosis from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the main causes of osteoporosis include kidney deficiency, liver and kidney insufficiency, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis. Among these, kidney deficiency is the primary cause, as the kidneys govern the bones and produce marrow. If the kidneys are deficient, the bones become dry and the marrow diminishes, ultimately leading to osteoporosis. Additionally, the liver and kidneys share a common source; kidney yin deficiency can easily lead to liver yin deficiency, and both often occur together, further exacerbating osteoporosis. The spleen governs the transformation and transportation of nutrients; if the spleen is deficient, it leads to inadequate nutrient delivery to various parts of the body, ultimately affecting the nourishment of muscles and bones. Furthermore, blood stasis is also an important cause of osteoporosis, as it affects the function of the organs and hinders normal bone metabolism, preventing the bones from receiving adequate nutritional support, ultimately leading to the occurrence of osteoporosis.

 

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

The early symptoms of osteoporosis are usually not obvious. When pain occurs, it often indicates that bone loss has already led to fractures or cracks. The most common fracture sites include the femur, spine, and forearm bones. Patients may suffer femoral fractures from minor collisions or falls; or even without obvious external force, the spine may gradually collapse, causing the back to curve, leading to hunchback and a decrease in height. Some patients may also experience back pain. In daily life, certain signs can indicate the presence of osteoporosis, such as severe pain from minor collisions, back deformities, hunchback, and reduced height. We should always be vigilant and seek medical attention early.


At-risk groups for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that can easily lead to fractures and other serious consequences. Some groups are more prone to osteoporosis and need to pay special attention to prevention and management of this disease. For example, individuals who have been taking aluminum-containing antacids, steroids, and diuretics for a long time; patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism. Additionally, due to the decreased ability of the elderly to absorb nutrients, leading to insufficient bone matrix synthesis, coupled with a lack of calcium, they are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women are at risk due to a lack of female hormones, which accelerates bone loss, and osteoporosis is also showing a trend of occurring at younger ages. Many individuals who excessively lose weight may suffer from protein deficiency, leading to insufficient synthesis of bone matrix proteins and reduced new bone formation, making the bones fragile. Alcohol abuse, smoking, and excessive intake of caffeine and soft drinks are also risk factors for osteoporosis.

 

How to diagnose osteoporosis?

Bone density testing is an important tool for assessing bone health, especially valuable in evaluating the risk of osteoporosis. DEXA/DXA is widely accepted as the most accurate and reliable testing method, capable of providing precise bone density values and helping physicians formulate appropriate treatment plans. During bone density testing, patients need not worry about high radiation doses or discomfort, as the radiation dose used during the test is extremely low, much lower than that of a standard X-ray. Therefore, this test is very safe.

 

Methods to prevent osteoporosis

Regular exercise can help strengthen bones and promote calcium absorption. Weight-bearing exercises such as tai chi and brisk walking are particularly important for building calcium reserves in the bones, especially for the elderly. Additionally, a balanced diet is also a crucial factor in maintaining bone health. Ensuring adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is key, which can be achieved through foods such as fresh milk, cheese, fish, and dark green vegetables. Besides exercise and diet, avoiding smoking and alcohol is also an important step in maintaining bone health.

 

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for osteoporosis

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that tonifying kidney qi is crucial for treating osteoporosis, as the kidneys govern the bones. Deficiency of kidney qi can lead to bone loss. Acupuncture or massage at the San Yin Jiao, Shen Shu, and Jue Gu points can promote the circulation of qi and blood, helping to regulate kidney qi. Ear acupuncture can also be used, targeting points related to the endocrine system, adrenal glands, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine often employs herbal remedies that tonify the kidneys and strengthen the bones, such as astragalus, angelica, epimedium, and eucommia, to alleviate pain. Health tonics such as angelica and ginger lamb soup and turtle and deer antler gel can also be taken regularly.


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