Osteoporosis makes bones abnormally porous and weak, thus increasing the risk of fractures. Bone and joint care with a healthy lifestyle and aid from natural joint support supplements such as Cissus quadrangularis (Hadjod, Asthishrinkhla) can improve bone density.

Fracture is the sudden breaking of a bone. Why does it happen? Does increasing age make us prone to fractures? Is it gender related? Are there any natural ways to support bone health?

Numerous studies on osteoporosis and related issues provide some information about all these common questions.

Bone density indicates the amount of “bone mineral” present in the bone tissue, which provides compressive strength to the bones. Thus bone density is what provides the bones capacity to resist compression. Bones store calcium, which can be withdrawn from the bones when required by the body and deposited back again to maintain bone density. Parathormone and calciton in hormones released from parathyroid and thyroid helps to control this ongoing process of maintaining the bone density.

Fracture is mostly caused by a trauma, fall, and accidents in people with normal bones. Aging weakens bones, and increases the tendency to fall due to lower balance and bone density. These factors increase risk of fractures in old age. Diseases such as osteoporosis, syphilis, bone tumors, hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism and osteomyelitis increase the risk of fractures spontaneously, even without any trauma. Women stand a higher risk of fracture. Risk increases greatly in post-menopausal years due to a dramatic drop in the estrogen level, lowering women’s bone density. Estrogen helps to keep the bones healthy and strong.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that results in highly porous and weak bones due to decrease in bone density. Causes of osteoporosis are family history and personal history of fractures, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, poor nutritional status, calcium and vitamin D deficiency, certain medications, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and it is more common in females.

A study conducted by Tomasevic: Todorovic S and others concluded that osteoporotic patients have a higher risk of major osteoporotic fractures. The study included 82 patients with an average age of 63plus minus 9.33 years.

A study was conducted to identify factors responsible for fractures in osteopenic post-menopausal women by Sorney Rendu E and others, which concluded, in postmenopausal women having osteopenia, low bone mineral density (BMD), increased bone turnover markers (BTM), and history of prior fracture are associated with an increased risk of fracture in the next 10 years.

Patients with established osteoporosis and other diseases that weaken bones must seek proper medical advice from health care providers to reduce the risk of fractures. Even healthy people must take measures to improve bone health.

Some natural ways to take care of our bones include:

• Take a balanced diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake.
• Regular exercise, done under the expert supervision of trainers.

Cissus Quadrangularis is a herb that can help to support bone health. Cissus Quadrangularis, known to be “Sandhaniye” (that promotes union) in Ayurveda, is used in dislocations of bones, for traumatic inflammation as a paste (Lep) or in oil preparations. Chakra dutt, Bhaav Prakash has indicated usage of Cissus quadrangularis in bone dislocation to promote union i.e., joining of bones.

Some studies on Cissus quadrangularis:

• A study conducted by Brahmkshatriya HR found Cissus quadrangularis helped in accelerating the healing of jaw fracture by reducing pain, swelling and mobility of the fracture. Serum calcium and phosphorus were also found to be high in patients taking supplements of Cissus quadrangularis.
• A review study by Swangjit R and others concluded that Cissus quadrangularis is beneficial for bone fractures. Further, no serious side effects were observed with its use.

To support care and promote bone health, using supplements of Cissus quadrangularis is safe and natural. To get the benefits of natural Cissus quadrangularis, I rely on BestSourceNutrition’s Cissus Quadrangularis extract. It is available in 350 mg veg. capsules in a packing of 60 capsules. It is standardized to contain 5% ketosterones. It does not contain artificial colors or binders. It is laboratory tested for quality control standards for purity and potency. If used as per instructions, it aids in bone and joint care to promote bone health, improve bone density and decrease the chance of fractures and osteoporosis. Do visit Cissus Quadrangularis Tablets.