As age increases, the human body gradually loses bone mass. In recent years, due to various factors, osteoporosis has been on the rise year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches you to use diet therapy to treat osteoporosis in the elderly. Let's take a look together!
Causes of Osteoporosis in the Elderly
1. Smoking
According to research, individuals who smoke 1 pack (20 cigarettes) per day have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
Smoking causes osteoporosis because nicotine can increase bone absorption, elevate blood calcium levels, and inhibit the secretion of parathyroid hormone, leading to decreased levels of parathyroid hormone and calcium deficiency.
2. Lack of exercise
It is said that osteoporosis is a disease caused by "sitting". Prolonged sitting and limited outdoor activities directly affect the synthesis of vitamin D in the body due to inadequate exposure to sunlight.
Insufficient exercise reduces the necessary stimulation and weight-bearing on the bones, resulting in decreased activity and proliferation of osteoblasts, which can easily lead to osteoporosis.
3. Excessive alcohol consumption
Drinking alcohol can indeed "harm the bones" because ethanol in alcohol inhibits the proliferation of bone cells, reduces bone absorption, and affects the activation of vitamin D.
Long-term alcohol consumption can also damage the liver and affect the absorption of nutrients such as fat, vitamin D, and calcium in the intestines. These factors can accelerate the progression of osteoporosis, leading to early onset in men.
4. High levels of stress
Testosterone in men plays an important role in bone metabolism and maintaining bone mass, similar to estrogen in women.
Nowadays, middle-aged men are under great stress and heavy workloads, which can easily lead to premature decline in male gonadal function. When testosterone levels decrease, it can cause excessive bone resorption and decreased bone density, leading to early onset of osteoporosis.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Diet Therapy for Treating Osteoporosis in the Elderly
[Sheep Bone and Sheep Kidney Soup]
Ingredients: 500g fresh sheep bones, 2 sheep kidneys, cooking wine, chopped green onion, minced ginger, salt, monosodium glutamate, five-spice powder, sesame oil, etc.
Method: Wash the fresh sheep bones and break them with the back of a knife.
Wash the sheep kidneys, remove the urethra and fascia, and cut them into slices. Put them in a clay pot with the sheep bones, add enough water, bring to a boil, skim off the foam, add cooking wine, chopped green onion, minced ginger, and simmer on low heat for 90 minutes.
When the soup becomes thick, add monosodium glutamate, five-spice powder, and salt, mix well, and drizzle with sesame oil. Serve as a soup with a meal and consume as desired.
Efficacy: Particularly suitable for kidney yang deficiency type osteoporosis.
[Kelp and Spinach Soup]
Ingredients: 50g kelp, 200g spinach, 30g soybeans, salt, monosodium glutamate, sesame oil, etc.
Method: Wash the kelp and cut it into shreds. Add 300ml of water and boil for 15 minutes. Add the soaked soybeans and bring to a boil. Then add the washed spinach and cook for another 10 minutes. Add salt, monosodium glutamate, and drizzle with sesame oil. Consume the dish and drink the soup 1-2 times while hot.
Efficacy: Suitable for osteoporosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions.
