Archive for May, 2010
Maintaining Strong Bones
As we begin to age, our bones are one of the areas that are most susceptible to injury. Calcium deficiency and other factors can contribute to arthritis and bone brittleness, which puts you at a greater risk of breaks and bone disease. Fortunately, science has revealed effective ways to maintain strong bones through exercise and augmenting your diet.
It used to be assumed that lifting weights was detrimental to bone health, but research has shown that resistance exercises can actually serve to strengthen bones and increase density. As we get older, it is also advisable to begin taking bone supplements. Calcium and strontium are two of the main nutrients to look for when seeking supplements that promote healthy bones.
An Overview of Vitamin D
Although our body produces vitamin D when we are exposed to sunlight, many of us still have deficiencies—especially if you live in mild or temperate climates. There are several variations of vitamin D, but D2 and D3 are the most relevant to humans. Vitamin D3 is also referred as cholecalciferol and is classified as a secosteroid, which is a molecule structurally similar to a steroid.
Vitamin D3 can be broken down into three categories, but calcitriol is the active form. Regulation of metabolism and other essential functions are made possible through vitamin D and a deficiency can affect these processes and heighten the risk of other diseases. If you have a deficiency, you best bet is to begin taking some sort of vitamin D3 supplement.