Kids and Osteoporosis
Our American children have an alarmingly high rate of Type 2 Diabetes AND NOW, broken bones. Yes, our children, teens and young adults are now candidates for a disease most accepted as for the elderly.
The reasons for osteoporosis have been limited until now. The most common myth is that when you are older you lose calcium from the bone. Another myth is that maybe you lost bone because you didn’t exercise. Or isn’t when we get stressed and release too much cortisol into our blood stream and then this will leach Calcium from our bones? Or, do phosphates from soda have something to do with osteoporosis?
First, let’s explain what Calcium, Cortisol and Phosphates do.
Calcium:The body’s most abundant mineral. Its primary function is to help build and maintain bones and teeth. The body also needs calcium to carry nerve signals, keep the heart functioning, contract muscles, clot blood and maintain healthy skin. Calcium helps control blood acid-alkaline balance, plays a role in cell division, muscle growth and iron utilization, activates certain enzymes, and helps transport nutrients through cell membranes. Calcium also forms a cellular cement called ground substance that helps hold cells and tissues together.
Cortisol:A hormone. Its most important function is to help the body respond to stress. It also helps regulate your body’s use of protein, carbohydrates and fat; it helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function; it stems inflammation.
Phosphorous: A mineral found in the body. When it is excreted, it leaches calcium from bone and takes it with it as it leaves the body. Sodas are high in phosphorous
When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content of soft drinks like Coca -Cola and Pepsi is very high, and they contain virtually no calcium.
The United States drinks the most soft drinks per person of any county. Per person, we drink in excess of 150 quarts per year, or about three (3) quarts per week!!!
Soft drink consumption in children poses a significant risk factor for
impaired calcification of growing bones. This is a major reason that we are seeing more broken bones in children and osteoporosis in young adults. The ramifications for child-bearing age women is yet to be seen.
SUBSTITUTIONS
- Juices diluted by 1/2 with water
- Just plain water
- Water with squeezed lemon
- Vegetable juices
BE GOOD TO YOUR KIDS BONES