The synergistic combination of ingredients found in Bone Strengthener Plus offers comprehensive osteo nutritional support.

• Promotes strong bones
• Prevents fractures
• Inhibits loss of bone mineral density
• Fights osteoporosis
• Neutralizes free radicals
• Enhances calcium utilization

Calcium is an essential mineral that is most abundant in bones and teeth. Calcium also plays a crucial role in the health of the nervous system, strengthening cell membranes, hormone formations, blood clotting, and regulating cardiovascular physiology.

Scientific research indicates that calcium deficiency is a major cause of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak, fragile, and brittle. According to the Harvard Health Letter (September 1966), Osteoporosis is a bone crippling disease that affects over 25 million people in the United States alone. Our bones need calcium to stay strong, preserve bone mass, and reduce the risk of fracture. Healthy bones require that that you eat foods rich in calcium such as cheese, yogurt, salmon, tofu, and broccoli. Milk is a particularly good source of calcium. Two glasses of milk provide about 600 mg. Calcium supplementation, in addition to proper nutrition and exercise, promotes bone strength and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Calcium and Aging
Calcium is less efficiently absorbed as we age. Loss of bone is painless in the early stages. You may not know you are losing bone mass until you have a fracture. Osteoporotic fractures can be slowed down and prevented. Fractures are about twice as common in women than men. According to a Mayo Clinic Health Letter (October 1997), half of all Caucasian and Asian women over the age of 50 can expect to have a bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis need not be an inevitable part of aging. Early detection and prevention are the best ways of preventing this debilitating disease. Medical research has shown that calcium supplementation can restore strength to bones, particularly when calcium is enhanced with other vitamins and minerals.

The role of nutrients in M.D. Healthline? Bone Strengthener Plus

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining blood levels of calcium. Vitamin D may increase calcium absorption by as much as 30% to 80%.Vitamin D depletion may accelerate cortical bone loss, and increase the risk of hip fractures. Early recognition and prompt treatment of Vitamin D depletion is essential for well being, as morbidity related to bone loss and fractures may be reduced.
(Rao DS.Perpective onAssessment of Vitamin D NutritionJ Clin Densitom. 1999 Winter; 2(4): 457-464).

Calcium (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite Concentrate MCHC) is more effective in increasing bone thickness than any other form of calcium. (Pines A, Rafat H, Lyon AH, Whittington J. Clinical trial of microcystalline hydroxypatite compound ('Osssopan') in the prevention of osteoporosis due to corticosteroid therapy. Currr Med Res Opin 1984;8(10):734-742.) This special calcium contains a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorous. MCHC also contains trace minerals, matrix proteins, and glycosaminoglycans. Hyrodroxaptite suppliescalcium in the form that it occurs in the body, and is therefore absorbed quickly. Studies indicate that MCHA promotes positive cortical bone balance.
(Epstein O; Kato Y; Dick R; Sherlock. Vitamin D, Hydroxyapatite, and Calcium Gluconate in Treatment of Cortical Bone Thinning in Postmenopausal Women with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Am J Clin Nutr1982 Sep; 36(3): 426-30).

Copper is essential for normal bone synthesis. A study conducted in 1995 entitled, "Copper supplementation and bone-mineral density in Middle age women," (Eaton-Evans J., Mcllrath EM, Jackson WE, et al. Proc Nutr Soc 1995; 54:191A) found that copper supplementation prevented bone loss. Many nutritionally educated health professionals recommend 2 to 3 mg of copper per day especially if zinc is supplemented, because zinc depletes copper nutriture.

Magnesium is required for sound bone health. Studies indicate that people with osteoporosis suffer from low levels of magnesium in both bones and blood. (Cohen L, Klitzes R. Magnesium malabsorption in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Magnesium 1983; 2:139-43). Other studies have demonstrated that supplemental magnesium reduced bone loss and increased bone mass.

Vitamin K is essential for bone formation. In a study published in 1999 the diet of 72,327 women aged 38 to 63 was analyzed. The data support the conclusion that, "low intakes of vitamin K may increase the risk of hip fracture in women." Vitamin K is essential for the formation of osteocalcin, a protein only found in bone.
(Freskanich D, Weber P, Willet WC, Rokett H. Booth SL. Colditz. Vitamin K Intake and Hip Fractures in Women: A Prospective Study. AmJ Clin Nutr. 1999 Jan;69(1): 74-79).

Wild Yam Extract (Dioscorea) is a storehouse of phytochemicals. Wild Yam contains steroidal saponins that are pharmaceutically converted into cortisone, estrogen, and progesterone-like compounds. Women who require progesterone should consult a health professional and not rely soley on wild yam or other herbs. Although the pharmaceutical conversion cannot be duplicated by the body, wild yam offers many other benefits. Wild yam is considered to be a strong antispasmodic and has potential anti-inflamatory properties. An extract of wild yam has been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties, and has been shown to lower blood triglycerides and to raise HDL, the "good" cholesterol.
(Araghiniknam M, Chung S, Nelson-White T, et al. Antioxidant activity of dioscorea and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in older humans. Lif Sci 1996; 11:147-57).

Horsetail Silica (Equesetumarvense) is also known as Bottlebrush plant, Shave grass, and scouring rush. It has been use in folk medicine as a remedy for kidney problems, arthritis, ulcers, and tuberculosis. It was recommended by the Roman physician Galen. Horsetail is rich in bioflavonoids along with potassium, aluminum, and manganese. It also contains silicon, a trace mineral that plays an important role in bone formation. (Carlise EM, Silicon localization and calcification in developing bone. Fed Proc 1969; 28:374) In animal research, silicon supplementation was shown to increase bone density. ( Hott M, de Pollak C, Modrowski D, Marie PJ. Short-term effects of organic silicon on trabecular bone in mature ovariectomized rat. Calcif Tissue Int 1993; 53174-790). Preliminary research studies with humans appears to validate the bone strengthening properties of Silicon supplementation.

Boron is an essential nutrient for bones and joints. It strengthens the connective structure in bone matrix. Studies have shown that boron supplementation also offers significant benefits for people suffering from osteoarthritis. (Newman RE, Essentiality of boron for healthy bones and joints, Environ Health Perspect 1994 Nov; Suppl 7:83-5). In addition, boron appears to improve calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium metabolism and reduces the loss of these minerals through the urine. Evidence further indicates that boron plays an important role in synthesizing estrogen, and other steroidal hormones and protects them from rapid breakdown.
(Nielsen FH, et al, Effect of dietary boron on mineral. Estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. FASEB J 1987 Nov; 1(5): 394-397.

Ostivone? (7-Isopropoxy Isoflavone) is an isoflavone synthesized from the soy isoflavone daidzein, and holds great promise in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that this non-hormonal nutrient increases bone mineral density and inhibits bone loss. As bone density increases fracture rates decrease. Ostivone^TM also appears to enhance the effect of estrogen, and may be an attractive adjunct or alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
(Head KA, Ipriflavone: an important bone-building isoflavone. Altern Med Rev 1999 Feb: 4(1): 10-22)