Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones which causes reduced bone density. Post menopausal women, especially, suffer from this disease as it is thought to be deeply related to the female hormone estrogen. But these days there are even children whose bones are weak and fracture easily. Therefore, it cannot be caused by only by the decrease in estrogen.

So what should we do to avoid Osteoporosis?

"How about increasing the intake of calcium by drinking a lot of milk?"

Actually, that is not a great idea. Milk has a lot of calcium, but during the pasteurization process, an important enzyme for our body is killed, so this doesn't work well for our health.

"So what is good for Osteoporosis?"

From the view point of Oriental Medicine, it is important to strengthen the Kidney energy. Because even if you take in a lot of calcium from your meals, it is not absorbed when your Kidney energy is weak.

To strengthen Kidney energy, first chew well. Chewing well produces a lot of saliva. Children who have weak bones and elderly people can't produce a lot of saliva. (Refer to Vol. 45 Effect of Chewing)

Second, it is important to eat beans and sea vegetables. They strengthen Kidney energy and contain a lot of calcium.  Especially recommended are Adzuki beans and Hijiki (a kind of sea vegetable). Of course, it is also important to have other grains and vegetables for good balance.

It is also important to give a good amount of stress to the bones through the proper amount of exercise.