Bone Guard

• Promotes Healthy Bone Density (can assist in chronic steroid use)
• Increases Skeletal Strength
• Improves Bone Remodeling (can assist in menopause, osteopenia, and osteoporosis)
• Contains boron which can lower sex hormone binding globulin

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a major determinant of bone mass and is the most commonly measured quality of bone. A number of factors contribute to BMD including lifestyle factors (regular physical activity, not smoking, minimizing stress levels) and maintaining hormonal balance. Consuming a healthy diet and ensuring optimal levels of bone-building vitamins and minerals are key strategies for preserving bone strength. While calcium is an effective starting point for promoting bone health, other nutrients are required for bone mineralization. Bone Guard is a formulation specifically designed to promote healthy bone density. It contains Albion® TRAACS® chelated minerals for enhanced bioavailability.

Bone Guard contains the following nutrients to enhance the bone mineralization process, support bone health, and increase skeletal strength.

*Ipriflavone - These are plant base compounds that resemble estrogen at the molecular level and activate osteoblasts in bone promoting new bone formation. They also inhibit bone absorbing osteoclasts cells. It has been shown to increase bone strength in studies. (1)

*Calcium - Research has found that calcium citrate-malate is significantly more effective in supporting bone health than calcium carbonate.(2) Bone Guard is formulated with calcium citrate-malate to improve calcium absorption and utilization for healthy bone density.

*Magnesium - Magnesium deficiency is very common in the US and is exacerbated by alcohol, salt, coffee, soda, and stress. It is important in bone formation as magnesium increases calcium absorption and supports vitamin D3 conversion. Studies show that supplementing with magnesium in postmenopausal women results in significant bone enhancing affects of 71% of women. (3)

*Vitamin D - This supports bone health and aids in absorption of calcium and phosphate from the GI tract. Research shows direct correlation between bone mineral density and serum levels of 25(OH)D3. (4,5,6)

*Vitamin K1 - This synthesizes osteocalcin which is a protein involved in calcium transport and storing calcium into bone tissue. Vitamin K also decreases the activity of osteoclasts helping to maintain bone formation and strength. Vitamin K works synergistically with vitamin D3 to improve calcium absorption and help to bind newly absorbed calcium to the bone matrix. Studies have shown post menopausal women receiving vitamin K, D3, and calcium had significant increases in markers of bone health. (7,8)

*Boron - This reduces urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium and increases blood 17-beta estradiol and testosterone in postmenopausal women. (9) Improving boron levels has been shows to support skeletal strength. (10) Boron can also lower sex hormone binding globulin levels which leads to higher testosterone and estradiol levels.

*Phosphorus - A study examining the effects of calcium intake on the absorption of dietary phosphorus found that as calcium ingestion increases, phosphorous absorption decreases. Supplementation with a calcium phosphate preparation is recommended for maintaining optimal bone mineral density and preventing calcium induced phosphorus deficiency.

4 capsules per day in divided doses or as recommended by your health care professional.

References

1. Agnusdei D, Bufalino L. Efficacy of ipriflavone in established osteoporosis and long-term safety. Calcif Tissue Int 1997; 61 Suppl 1:S23-S27.

2. Patrick Lyn. Comparative absorption of calcium sources and calcium citrate malate prevention for osteoporosis. Altern Med Review 1999;4(2):74-85.

3.Stendig-Lindberg G, Tepper R, Leichter I. Trabecular bone density in a two year controlled trial of peroral magnesium in osteoporosis. Magnes Res 1993; 6:155-163.

4. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, et al. Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr 2006; 84:18-26.

5. Wamberg L, Pedersen SB, Richelsen B, Rejnmark L. The effect of high-dose vitamin d supplementation on calciotropic hormones and bone mineral density in obese subjects with low levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin d: results from a randomized controlled study. Calcif Tissue Int 2013 Jul;93(1):69-77.

6. Cauley JA, Lacroix AZ, Wu L, Horwitz M, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and risk for hip fractures. Ann Intern Med 2008 Aug 19;149(4):242-50.

7. Weber P. Management of osteoporosis: is there a role for vitamin K? Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1997;67(5):350-6.

8. Braam LA, Knapen MH et al. Vitamin K1 supplementation retards bone loss in postmenopausal women between 50 and 60 years of age. Calcif Tissue Int 2003 Jul;73(1):21-6.

9.Nielson FH. Boron: an overlooked element of potential nutritional importance. Nutr Today 1988;Jan/Feb:4-7.

10. Nielsen FH. The justification for providing dietary guidance for the nutritional intake of boron. Biol Trace Elem Res 1998 Winter; 66(1-3):319-30.