Osteoporosis

Most of us tend to think of our bones as fairly benign and boring, inanimate aspects of our skeletal structure. In truth, they are dynamic outposts of activity.

Bone is a living tissue and new bone replaces old bone throughout our lives. But in later life, the cells that build new bone can’t keep up with the cells that remove old bones. This leads to an overall loss of bone tissue; making bones weaker and more fragile.

For women, the hormone oestrogen helps protect bone strength. But, the reduction in oestrogen following menopause can cause a rapid bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis.

Stress is also a disruptive influence. Stress hormones cause havoc with the distribution of calcium, which makes bone disintegration more likely. They also block the dietary uptake of calcium in the intestines and release too much calcium in the kidneys. So no matter how many calcium supplements you might be taking, they may not get through to where they’re most needed.

It doesn’t matter if the stress has been induced by lots of physical exercise, or due to psychological stress, the results are the same. And treatments for osteoporosis don’t always take these stresses into account.

Meditation reduces our level of stress hormones, allowing the growth-disintegration dynamic of bone tissue to remain more in balance.

Meditation also strengthens our digestive organs with greater blood flow, allowing the liver to metabolise calcium and for greater absorption of calcium by all the organs, including the kidneys and intestines.

Meditation is the perfect exercise for osteoporosis as it requires no physical exertion, yet as a result of regular practise our organs become healthier and our bones grow stronger. (You also benefit from a general sense of well-being and a renewed energy for life).