The HERSTORY of Bones

The HERSTORY of Bones

 
Guest Articles 


         The Herstory Of Bones 
          By Dr. Madeline Behrendt

          It's 6:30 a.m. Eyes open to the sun painting a new canvas over the foothills. Ears alert to 
          the sound of morning feet padding through the hallway, destination locked in. The body 
          moves, sleep is surrendered as the commitment from horizontal to vertical is made. 
          Feeling anticipation, the stomach shifts all focus towards the kitchen. Arms extend, 
          fingers grasp, mouth waits... Coffee? Milk? Soda? Juice? Shake? Water? So starts a new 
          day in the 'Herstory' of bones.

          Bones are undercover dutiful workers, silhouettes barely visible; yet home to ceaseless 
          invisible activity. They are a part of a passive subsystem, not able to move us nor 
          themselves, yet our entire physical being depends on them for strength, support and 
          protection. They are also home to part of our precious immune system.

          Women and bones are linked in our culture, although men can also experience changes in 
          bone health. During the different stages of a woman's lifecycle, Innate changes the ratio 
          of (new bone being built)/(old bone being broken down) and choices made within the 
          normal rhythm of the day can support or interfere with the potential Innate offers.

         In addition to daily choices, because our body is designed to achieve peak bone density 
          during our 30's, timing is also a factor, and paying attention during the early years can 
          influence whether or not our peak is achieved.

          Nutrition. Beverages. Exercise. Elective Prescription Drugs. Hormones. BONE CHOICES. 
          And choosing to remain subluxated offers potential consequences we can never neglect.

          We demand and assume our bones will last our lifetime, yet may take them for granted or 
          treat them like a rental car. Care or carelessness - the results are ours to choose.

          In Womanculture as described by the Symptom/Disease/Prevention model, osteoporosis 
          (or the fear of) receives a lot of attention, especially in regards to its suggested 
          relationship to menopause, estrogen deficiency and bone density.

          Looking at the view from Inside, rather than Outside, are reports that offer clarity: - Poor 
          bone health during menopause is not automatically attributed to this lifecycle as studies 
          show that osteoporosis can start many years prior to menopause (early care is 
          important!.)

          We are told we lose estrogen (creating the image of estrogen deficiency), but what loss? 
          Innate resets our hormone levels - making what is appropriate for this lifecycle, and 
          protects us from the effects of having too much of a hormone, who's excess can lead to 
          cancer.

          Estrogen is NOT the bone builder hormone; reports indicate that progesterone (not 
          progestin) is responsible for this function.

          Low bone density does not define osteoporosis; they are not interchangeable terms, LBD 
          is a factor that can contribute, but not guarantee OP, as additional factors weigh in.

          As hormones are involved in bone health, hormonal drugs are heavily promoted, but their 
          sales are vulnerable to self-sabotage as inevitable side effects surface. Like revolutionary 
          soldiers, new drugs stand poised to replace them, ready for their 15 minutes of fame, 
          spinning promises and information often culled from self-funded studies before they too 
          are shot down. The Public is questioning the credibility of endless cycles of "miracle" 
          drugs that can deliver "miracle" side effects. Miracles? Real miracles can come from 
          above, down, inside, out.

          Interference in bone health can seem silent, but the effects are very loud, as the most 
          common first site of fracture due to osteoporosis is the thoracic spine, which protects 
          and houses our nervous system. In my practice, women speak of watching their mom's 
          quality of life decline as her spine crumbled, they want to be educated and informed as to 
          how to help their spine be healthy for the long run. I am committed to helping them and 
          their daughters through subluxation-based care and teaching the benefits of the 
          chiropractic lifestyle.

          Back in the kitchen, some quick comments on what we reach for and how they affect 
          bones:

          COFFEE - Chemically can create a negative calcium balance. Coffee is also one of the 
          crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides and questions are raised how those hormones 
          can affect bone health. People actually do live without coffee, if that sounds unbearable, 
          many also try organic, drink less or boost up other bone builder factors.

          MILK - Innate has designed us to become lactose intolerant (3 of 4 adults), let's listen. 
          Milk is NOT a preferred calcium source, in fact after 3 generations of milk promotion, 
          osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions in the West, while in countries where it is 
          not consumed, it hardly exists. Calcium can be found in many user-friendly sources, try 
          there.

          SODA - Bubbles and bones don't mix, studies show it leeches calcium and children 
          consuming soda had low blood calcium levels. Another study reported DOUBLE the urinary 
          calcium loss in teens 13-19 (remember those are the years spent building towards peak 
          bone density.)

          JUICE - Natural is best, when calcium is artificially encouraged (as in fortified) reports 
          indicate calcium can be deposited in the wrong place (cardiovascular, kidneys, female 
          organs.)

          SHAKE - can be a great start to the day, depending upon what is put in it. Good stuff: 
          organic fruits, almond or other nut butters, rice milk. Have fun experimenting.

          WATER - One of the best ways to start the day is with a glass of clean (filtered from 
          chemicals/hormones) water, hot or cold, with lemon. Then on to a good breakfast.

          It's 6:30 a.m. A new day is waiting. Start off A.W.E.some. And subluxation-free.

          -------------------- 
          Dr. Madeline Behrendt is the author of A Woman's Experience/A.W.E.(TM) Reports On 
          Women's Health Topics and can be reached at mbdcawe@aol.com 
          Printed with permission from Dr. Behrendt and www.planetchiropractic.com


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