Our bones not only protect our brain and organs, but allow us to walk, sit, bend, and perform daily tasks. But despite their importance, it's easy to take bone health for granted.
Unlike a sore throat, an upset stomach, or a twisted ankle, we usually will not feel it if our bones are in trouble.
Why Is Bone Density So Important?
Humans lose 1-2% of their bone density every year after age 50; meaning you can have frail bones without knowing. That's why a bone density scan is so important. Unfortunately, most people only find out they have bone density issues after suffering from a broken bone.
The fact of the matter is that, after age 50, half of all women and a quarter of all men will break a bone due to low bone density. Even worse, 50% of those who break a hip later in life never fully recover, 10% end up in a nursing home, and 33% die within a year.
But there is good news — when taken regularly, quality bone health supplements can help prevent fractures, stave off density loss, and actually help us gain density.
Smarter Reviews evaluated 74 different bone health supplements on the market today. We've broken down what to look for, the dangers of calcium, and what to avoid when shopping for a bone health supplements. Plus, we'll show you our Top 5 available today.
How Can A Bone Health Supplement Help?
Helps Strengthen Bones
Supports Normal Bone Density
Works To Minimize Bone Loss
Helps Prevent Build Up Of Calcium In Your Arteries
Defends Against Fractures
Unfortunately, most bone health supplements lack the combination of ingredients necessary to improve bone density, and rely too heavily on calcium alone. With a variety of bone health supplements on the market, we looked at common pitfalls to help you make the most informed choice possible.
Look For These Supplement Ingredients:
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 helps calcium absorb into your bones rather than into your arteries. Make sure to take a clinically backed version of Vitamin K2, such as MenaQ7®.3
Cissus Quadrangularis
This plant extract helps increase bone strength and even helps reduce fracture healing time.5
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 promotes calcium absorption and proper mineral deposits to your bones.6 Vitamin D3 has also been shown to help boost muscle coordination, decreasing the chances of falling the first place.7
Calcium Hydroxyapatite
Calcium Hydroxyapatite is a more easily absorbable, whole mineral form of calcium, which makes up the substance of your bones. It is notably different from other forms of calcium like calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, which do not get absorbed.8
The Problem With Calcium Supplements
A lot of calcium supplements promise to improve bone health. However, it's important to note that relying on calcium alone is simply not enough. Even worse, it can be dangerous.
While most people get enough calcium from their diets, the problem is that it's not easily easily absorbed by our bodies. In fact, studies show that certain kinds of calcium (such as calcium citrate and calcium carbonate) are almost completely unabsorbable, and essentially useless.
To ensure maximum absorption, look for Calcium HydroxyapatiteA mineral form of calcium derived from bovine bone. It's bioidentical to the calcium already in our body, thus making it the easiest to absorb. that's paired with vitamins D3 and K2. This unique pairing has been clinically proven to help support bone density better than calcium supplements alone.
Fortunately, a select few brands addressed this problem head on and have developed products that actually fix the problem.
Now that you know the benefits of a bone health supplement, what to look for, and what to avoid, what are the best bone health supplements to choose from? Below, you can find our Top 5 brands we found to be most helpful in improving bone health.
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