Nutrients That Take Care of Your Bones and Your Heart

In a previous article "What Do Heart Disease and Arthritis Have in Common" I wrote how cholesterol is not the culprit behind heart disease; the inflammation of blood vessels is. Research has shown that more than half of heart attacks in the US have normal cholesterol levels. In that article I covered ways to decrease inflammation. In this article I am going to talk about vitamin deficiencies. The key to preventing arthritis and heart disease is Cellular Nutrition. Cellular Nutrition is simply providing all the nutrients to the cell at optimal levels. This approach will correct any nutritional deficiencies.

Here I'll show how one deficiency can affect another. Proving that taking one without the other in supplementation may not be effective.

Magnesium Deficiencies lead to a deficiency in Vitamin D. Why is Vitamin D important? Vitamin D is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including high blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also used for Diabetes, Obesity, muscle weakness, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, COPD known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma, Bronchitis, PMS, and tooth and Gum Disease. Vitamin D is also used for treating people with weak bones, bone pain, and for bone loss in people with a condition called hyperparathyroidism. It is also used for preventing falls and broken bones in people with Osteoporosis and for preventing low Calcium and bone loss in people with Kidney failure.

What does this mean? If you are going to take a vitamin D supplement it should include magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, manganese, copper, zinc and boron. This is to ensure you get the benefits you are looking for. These vitamins and minerals work together to ensure you what you are giving your body is getting used by your body.

Let me shed a little more in depth information on a few:

• Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of Calcium.
• Magnesium deficiencies lead to a syndrome of Vitamin D resistance. "Dietary surveys conclude that 80-85% of Americans consume a magnesium deficient diet". (Journal of Nutritional Medicine)
• Calcium Deficiency can lead to Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a painful debilitating disease that you want to prevent. When it comes to diet our nations diet is high in meats and carbonated beverages which increases the intake of phosphorous and decreases our absorption of Calcium.
• Manganese is necessary for the synthesis of connective tissue in cartilage and bone. This nutrient needs to be present at optimal levels if we are going to have any success in preventing Osteoporosis.
• Boron is an interesting nutrient. Do not leave this one out.When study subjects took this one in supplementation the urinary excretion of calcium decreased by approximately 40%. Isn't that amazing? Boron also increases magnesium concentrations and decreases phosphorous levels.
• Zinc is a mineral that is essential for the normal functioning of Vitamin D.

What we all need to stay healthy and enjoy life is a cellular nutrition program, a healthy diet and a modest exercise program. Weight bearing exercise is crucial as it stimulates the body to create more bone. Walking is great for the legs and cardiovascular system but does little for the back and hips. Upper body weight resistance exercises are critical in protecting yourself from this devastating disease.