What is Osteoporosis:
Bone is a living tissue that undergoes continuous deterioration and replacement. Osteoporosis develops when the production of new bone is insufficient to counteract the loss of existing bone.Osteoporosis makes bones weak and brittle, so fragile that even minor stressors like coughing or bending over can break them. Hip, wrist, and spine fractures brought on by osteoporosis are the most frequent.People of all races can develop osteoporosis. However, elderly women who have passed menopause are most at danger.
Symptoms:
Once osteoporosis starts in your body most likely you will not be noticing any symptoms. However, if osteoporosis has compromised your bones, you may experience symptoms like
- fractures brought on by fragility. These happen when a wrist, back, hip, or other bone is fractured as a result of even a minor accident.
- loss of height Over time, a person’s height can decrease by more than two inches.
- resorbing gums.
- a spine with a curved, stooping form.
- a lower back ache.
Causes:
These include alterations in hormone levels, ageing naturally, and a deficiency in specific nutrients in the body. However, osteoporosis also results from an unbalanced vata energy as per Indian ancient science of Ayurveda.
Understand Osteoporosis:
According to Ayurveda, the nutrition that is received by the body is utilised in following order:
- Plasma
- Blood
- Muscles/ Flesh
- Tissues
- Bone
- And so on
Nutrient supply from adipose tissue helps to construct the bone. If the food is wholesome, nourishing and of good quality for our body, all the staples will be completed in a balanced way. Like this once it comes to the development and nourishment of bone, it is of good quality. Bones form the skeleton system of the body and helps to retain shape and structure. All the muscles, tendons and ligaments are attached to the bones.
When Vata (Air component) reaches bone, it becomes brittle and is not able to absorb nutrition to the fullest. So it is very important to keep Vata under control.
Treatment of Osteoporosis:
The scientific approach for osteoporosis treatment is to eliminate the root cause and then take care of the manifested symptoms.
Diet:
Freshly prepared, wholesome foods with a soft or mushy texture, high in protein and fat, seasoned with a variety of spices, and served warm or hot are best for balancing vata. These nutrients encourage healthy digestion and elimination while lubricating and nourishing the tissues, keeping moisture, and maintaining warmth, all of which help to soothe vata.Vatas benefit from warm milk, cream, butter, hot cereals, warm soups, warm stews, warm fresh-baked bread, and raw nuts and nut butters. In the late afternoon, sip a hot or herbal tea while eating some snacks. All sweet fruits are suitable for Vata as long as they are extra-ripe. Vatas respond well to warm beverages or hot water.
Oil Massage:
Vata’s main characteristics include dryness, lightness, coolness, roughness, subtlety, and mobility. Many oils can assist balance vata because the majority of these traits are the reverse of the Vata characteristics.However, sesame oil that is untoasted and plain isconsidered to be the most effective one to pacify Vata dosha.
Prevention Of Osteoporosis:
Ayurveda, however, can help prevent and even gently treat bone brittleness. For instance, vata-pacifying practises that might strengthen your bones are sesame seeds, milk, and the sporadic practise of Basti Karma. As a result, Ayurveda remedies can complement over-the-counter medications to treat osteoporosis.
Can Ayurveda cure osteoporosis?
Well, the answer is Both “Yes” And “NO”. If we start taking precautions and care during the early stages of life and can prevent bone decay, osteoporosis can be avoided. In case we detect it late in our life, when it has already affected, we can manage it by taking certain measures and care.
Ayurveda claims that a Vata imbalance is the cause of bone loss or decreased bone mass. It makes sense to eat foods that balance Vata dosha and are high in calcium in order to treat this ailment with an ayurvedic diet.
That would entail maintaining the Vata in balance throughout the developing years because prevention is always preferable to cure. Vata is chilly, dry, and erratic. You would require warmth, moisture, or the kapha traits and regularity to balance this. This would apply to eating, sleeping, routines, and life in general.
Although most experts feel that our bodies continue to build bone mass until we are in our mid-thirties, prevention involves beginning this programme early in life.
Managing Osteoporosis:
In order to keep osteoporosis under control, Vata pacifying foods and consuming foods rich in calcium is the only proven way. Here are some of the home made foods and preparations that can be used for benefit.
Sesame Seed:
White sesame or til seeds are the calcium source that ayurveda holds in the highest regard. These seeds have a very “Pitta” character to them. One teaspoon of white sesame seeds soaked in water should be left overnight on the kitchen counter in the summer. Drain the water the following morning and chew the seeds slowly. Avoid soaking the seeds during the winter. Just chew one teaspoon slowly each morning. If you’d like, top this with a half-glass of warm milk.
Natural Remedy:
Herbs and spices are very functional ingredients to maintain our health and balance the constitution of our body. Try this natural remedy to manage the imbalance vata dosha.
- Fennel seeds- 2 Part
- Dry Ginger Powder- 2 Part
- Cumin Seeds -1 Part
- Corainder Seeds- 1 Part
- Asafoetida- 1 Part
- Turmeric Powder- 1 Part
Dry roast the spices till warm. Cool it and grind to a smooth powder. Store in a airtight jar.
Dosage: 1 Teaspoon per serving. Once a day. This can be mixed with a little amount of Ghee and added to the meal.
Regular consumption of this powder will show the results slowly.
Vata Balancing Drink:
Here is another remedy that can be used to get rid of vata imbalance.
- Water- 2 Litres
- Cumin Seeds- 0.5 teaspoon
- Corainder Seeds- 0.5 Teaspoon
- Fennel Seeds -0.5 Teaspoon
- Ashwagandha Root Powder- 1 Pinch
- Whole root Licorice Powder- 1 Pinch
- Mint Leaves-3 number
Preparation:
Boil water. Add the spices and cover to steep. Store in thermos. Sip throughout the day.
This drink also balances the vata dosha if consumed over a period of time.
Dietary and Lifestyle Regulations To Manage Osteoporosis:
Do:
- Maintain healthy body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol
- Perform yoga asanas to improve joint flexibility
- Eat easily digestible and nutritional food
- Grapes, pomegranates, mangoes are good
- Take care of mental health, avoid stress
- Relax well and get adequate sleep
- Avoid sleeping during day time
- Include plenty of green leafy vegetables in your diet.
Dont’s
- Do not overexercise and exert yourself
- Avoid too much walking as it creates pressure on joints
- Do not suppress natural urges of belching and burp as it increases tha vata quotient in the body
- Avoid excess coffee
- Limi intake of salt and pungent foods.
Living with Osteoporosis:
The amount of bone loss can be decreased by leading a healthy lifestyle. Start a routine fitness regimen. The best exercises for building stronger bones are those that require your muscles to work against gravity, like weightlifting, jogging, and aerobics.
Don’t overindulge in booze. Avoid consuming too much caffeine. Never, ever use tobacco.
When should you call the doctor about osteoporosis?
Even if you are under 65 (for women) or 70 (for men) and have risk factors for osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about getting checked . Osteoporosis may be quite dangerous. Your life may be threatened or altered by fractures. Hip fractures in persons with osteoporosis often result in death within a year of the injury. Please contact your healthcare practitioner if you fall, are concerned about bone breakage, or experience sudden, severe back pain.
Remember that even if you do have osteoporosis, you can still live an active and rewarding life. To make this happen, you and your healthcare practitioner can sort out the threats and can manage it well under proper guidance..