Cola May Be Factor In Osteroporosis

Posted October 12, 2006 by Acupuncture & Massage College

COLA MAY BE CAUSAL FACTOR IN OSTEOPOROSIS

Women who are regular drinkers of cola may be more at risk for lower bone density and developing osteoporosis, according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston analyzed dietary questionnaires and weekly cola consumption of more than 2,500 people whose average age was just below 60. They also measured participants’ bone mineral density at the spine and three different hip sites. Cola consumption in women who had four or more sodas per week was associated with lower bone density at all three hip sites.

Phosphoric acid, an ingredient in cola might be responsible for the lower bone density but the mechanism is not yet fully understood. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 55 percent of Americans older than 50, mostly women, are at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be an effective preventative treatment for osteoporosis in addition to an adequate calcium intake and regular weight-bearing exercise. Kidney jing deficiency correlates to the Western diagnosis of osteoporosis. Oriental medicine defines the condition of osteoporosis as a yin or yang kidney deficiency. The kidney organ is the source for growth and aging, and deficiency of kidney essence (jing) is linked to symptoms of osteoporosis, including weakness in the lower back and legs and decreased bone mass density.

Chinese herbal formulas for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis such as Gui lu er xian jiao contain herbs that increase calcium absorption, prevent fractures and strengthen the bones. The use of herbs in gui lu er xian jiao (gui ban, lu jiao, gun qi zi, ren shen) has been found to increase bone mass density by an average of 3.4 percent in one year, according to a Clinic Medline of Taiwan clinical study.

Rehmannia is an herb commonly included in Chinese herbal formulas for treatment of osteoporosis to nourish yin, kidney energy, qi, and blood. Chinese herbs effective in the prevention of osteoporosis include cornus, hoelen and dioscorea. Other ingredients found in Chinese herbal formulas to treat kidney deficiency include yin and blood tonics (lycium, tortoise shell), yang tonics (epimedium), and qi tonics (baked licorice).

"Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com"

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