Medications and dietary methods to improve bone density:
Depending on the different causes and mechanisms of bone density deficiency, different raw materials can be selected when designing health food formulations. Commonly used raw materials include:
1. Calcium supplements: If calcium absorption is normal, 1.00-1.50 grams daily is sufficient. Among various calcium supplements, calcium carbonate is the most commonly used. For elderly people over 65 years old, the daily dosage is 0.75-2.5 grams. For those who experience many side effects from estrogen use and may develop endometrial cancer, administering large doses of calcium can have the same effect as estrogen use. Patients with kidney stones should not ingest large amounts of calcium.
2. Vitamin D and its active products: In the past, it was believed that elderly patients with osteoporosis often had vitamin D deficiency, so it was advocated to give more vitamin D. In fact, except for those with osteomalacia (generally speaking, only children are prone to osteomalacia, such as rickets), intestinal calcium malabsorption, and reduced production of vitamin D metabolites, there is generally no need to supplement with large amounts of vitamin D. If the above three conditions are indeed present, vitamin D can be given at the same time.
3. Calcitonin: Calcitonin can reduce bone resorption, lower blood calcium levels, and increase calcium content in bones. Because calcitonin can lower blood calcium, calcium supplementation should be done when using calcitonin to treat osteoporosis.
4. Phosphates: Phosphate therapy for osteoporosis has been developed in recent years. Phosphates can promote bone formation and inhibit osteocyte destruction, and can be used for a long time.
5. Other: Currently, the main raw materials for bone density-enhancing health supplements on the market are chemical raw materials and traditional Chinese medicine extracts, and the main dosage forms are capsules and tablets. After the introduction of new regulations for health supplements, the technical requirements for their research and development will be raised. Based on the declared health functions, the restrictions on raw materials will be relaxed, allowing for the use of some new raw materials, and new dosage forms can be developed, which will better improve the efficacy of health supplements.
