Supporting Bone Health Naturally After 40
As we get older, bone health and focusing on keeping our bones strong is an essential part of overall wellness, but it is often overlooked. Too many of us worry about osteoporosis and bone density, some of us are dealing with not being able to continue to do the activities we love.
Here is the good news! Bones are living tissue that are always breaking down and rebuilding allowing us to focus on creating stronger bones. The choices we make each day and the habits we create have a direct impact on how strong and resilient our bones stay. Here are some tips to help you support bone health, naturally.
Why Bone Health Is So Important
Your bones do far more than hold you upright. They help support your movements and posture, protect your organs, store minerals, and produce red and white bloodcells in the bone marrow. If you want to maintain strength, immunity, and stay active, you need healthy bones.
Thank goodness our bones are always rebuilding and renewing tissue. Osteoclasts remove old bone, and osteoblasts build new bone. So when you think about your aches and pain, remember, rebuilding your bones is like paving a road. You need to remove the old stuff and replace it with a newer, stronger structure. This is why our habits are so important for strong bones.
The Thyroid’s Major Role in Bone Health
Hormones play a major role in bone health, and whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive, the influence can vary. An overactive thyroid can actually speed up your bone loss, while an underactive thyroid can lead to stiffness and some minor aches. Keeping your metabolism balanced will definitely help support your bones as you age.
Tips to Naturally Support Bone Health
Keep Moving
Weight-bearing exercises signals your body to strengthen bone tissue. If you begin taking a daily walk or hike through some local parks your bones will benefit. You may also want to consider adding some strength training and resistance exercises to your routine. Its amazing how simple daily movements can make a big difference.
Calcium Is Important, But Not Enough
Calcium is needed to support bone strength, heart rhythm, and cellular communication. It also supports muscle contractions, nerve transmission and blodd clotting.
Food sources include:
- Leafy greens (kale, collards, spinach)
- Sardines and salmon with bones
- Cultured dairy foods
- Bone broth and homemade stock. Broth and stock contain so many nutrients that not only support your bones, they also support gut health and your skin.
But bones need much more than calcium alone. Magnesium supports bone structure and muscle function, and is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium is also known to be widely deficient in many adults. Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium, keeps your bones strong, and supports your immune system. Vitamin K2 helps calcium get into your bones instead of your arteries. Silica helps you stay flexible and supports healthy skin and nails.
Herbs
Nature provides powerful plant support, including:
- Mullein – supports fractures and spinal health
- Horsetail – rich in silica and calcium
- Alfalfa – mineral-dense for bone strength
- Oat straw – promotes tissue healing
- Oak bark – strengthens bones and teeth
View more of my favorite Nature’s Sunshine supplements for supporting bone health.
Strong bones are not built overnight. They are built through daily habits that include nourishing foods, proper mineral intake, hormone balance, regular movement, and supporting gut health. If you want to reset your health, check out my 8 essential habits to help you take back your health. When you consistently care for your body, your bones respond with strength and resilience.