The benefits of a healthy diet and exercise for people with osteoporosis are widely accepted. However, most conventional medical sources touch upon only calcium and vitamin D when it comes to nutrients that help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. In reality, researchers are discovering that bone health and remodeling are complex processes that are influenced by many hormones and nutrients.

The following supplements and nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of fractures:

* DHEA—suggested starting dose of 15 to 75 milligrams (mg) daily, followed by blood testing in three to six weeks to make sure that optimal levels of this hormone are maintained
* Calcium—1200 mg (dicalcium malate and calcium bisglycinate) daily
* Vitamin D3—800 international units (IU) daily
* Magnesium—340 mg daily
* Zinc—2 mg daily
* Manganese—1 mg daily
* Silicon—5 mg daily
* Boron—3 mg daily
* Melatonin—1 to 3 mg daily at bedtime
* Vitamin C—1 to 3 grams (g) daily
* Vitamin E—400 IU daily (with 200 mg gamma tocopherol)
* Vitamin B12 with folic acid—300 to 1200 micrograms (mcg) B12 and 800 to 3200 mcg folic acid daily
* Vitamin K—up to 10 mg daily
* Whey protein—up to 50 g daily (contains the essential amino acids L-arginine and L-lysine)
* Soy isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, glycitein)—55 to 120 mg daily

Many of the patients at this office are 50 or older, and naturally worry about the effects that aging has on their body, particularly their eyesight. Below is an excerpt from an article on protecting your eyes from age-related damage:

“By the age of 65 years, nearly one-third of adults will experience age-related damage to their eyesight. The leading cause of age-related central blindness is macular degeneration, which can rob us of the ability to read and see fine details. Cataracts are a frequent cause of damage to the crystalline lens of the eye, and can result in blindness.

Age-associated vision loss is not inevitable. In fact, nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin provide critical antioxidant and light-filtering properties to the eye lens and macula—structures essential for clear vision. Not only do these nutrients guard against vision loss—growing evidence suggests they also protect against other ailments such as cancer and cognitive decline.

Although deteriorating vision is often accepted as an inevitable part of aging, we’re learning today that this does not have to happen. A remarkable number of clinical studies are teaching us how the most common causes of age-related vision loss can be prevented—if we take prompt action.

Scientists are finding that deficiencies in certain plant-derived compounds can cause vision to degrade over time. To understand just how these nutrients produce their benefits, let’s take a look at how humans usually lose their vision with age. Two major culprits are age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Both are potentially preventable if early action is taken. Nutrients like meso-zeaxanthin may even help reverse the most common form of blindness afflicting aging eyes.”

To read the rest of this article by Julius G. Goepp, MD, visit the Life Extension Foundation!