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the Health Expert
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 id you know that osteoporosis affects one in four North American women and one in 8 men over the age of 50? Or that complications from osteoporotic fractures account for more deaths each year than the combined mortality from breast and ovarian cancer in Canadian females? Most people are unaware of these statistics or what to do for the prevention and management of osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Natural answers
Along with exercise, supplements providing calcium (as carbonate, citrate, or citrate-malate) and Vitamin D are known to be good for bone health. The most recent studies have added another natural answer – the Icariin flavonoid found in the Horny Goat Weed plant (also known as epimedium macranthum) commonly used to assist other conditions. This remarkable discovery can increase bone density in the vulnerable hip and lumbar spine of postmenopausal women with no reported significant side effects with its use.
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In a 2007 clinical trial, 85 healthy, late postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive either a daily dose of Horny Goat Weed (yielding 60 mg of Icariin flavonoid) or a placebo. All the women also received a daily 300 mg calcium supplement. After two years, bone mineral density at the hip (femoral neck) and lower spine (lumbar) increased by 1.3 to 1.6% in the Icariin supplemented group; while the placebo group decreased by 1.8 to 2.4%.
The latest studies suggest a daily lifestyle strategy to include: 1200-1500 mg of
calcium, 1000-1400 IU of Vitamin D, 300-500 mg of magnesium from food and supplementation along with 60 mg of Icariin from this source. Daily resistance or weight
bearing exercise training for 20-30 minutes is also necessary in the prevention and management of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Follow the sidebar recommendations. Always check with your physician for individual requirements. H&L
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