Natural remedies for accelerated healing of broken bones and prevention

Natural remedies for accelerated healing of broken bones and prevention

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Not long ago one of our children broke his leg while playing outside. Luckily, she recovered quickly and was back on her feet in just four weeks. I believe the natural broken bone remedies we used helped her leg get better as quickly as possible. An article by Katie Wells and medically reviewed by Dr. med. Lauren Jefferis.

How do fractures occur?

Fractures or fractures occur when the bone cannot withstand the force applied to it. In some cases, the force (like falling out of a tree) is too great for healthy bone to handle. In other cases, the force is not quite as strong, but the bone is weakened, leading to a fracture anyway. Weak bones are most common in older people or people with osteoporosis.

Can broken bones be prevented?

Aside from avoiding high-risk activities, there is no way to avoid breaking a bone due to excessive force on the bone. For example, you don't know if you'll get into a car accident. However, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of a bone fracture by ensuring that bones are as healthy and strong as possible.

What healthy bones need

The bones in the body are constantly breaking down and rebuilding themselves - a process called remodeling. This is how bones grow in children and how bones improve with a break. Bones need calcium to rebuild. If not enough calcium is consumed (or absorbed), bones become brittle.

We've heard a lot about calcium and its role in healthy bones, but we don't hear as much about the cofactors that help calcium reach the bones. These are just as important!

Fat-soluble vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are extremely important for general health and play a specific role in bone health. According to a 2009 Japanese article, fat-soluble vitamins D and K are essential for supporting bone health. Vitamin D controls calcium and phosphate levels in the blood and contributes to bone growth and strength. Vitamin K (and magnesium) help activate vitamin D in the liver and kidneys.

Additionally, vitamin K2 helps bind calcium into bones to strengthen them. It also helps calcium not stay in soft tissue (like the heart), where it can lead to problematic calcification. Studies have shown that vitamin K2 is effective in stopping and even reversing bone loss in people with osteoporosis.

What about vitamin A?

Some experts believe that vitamin A intake causes osteoporosis. For this reason, they do not recommend supplementing with vitamin A or eating large amounts of foods containing vitamin A.

On the other hand, there is evidence that vitamin A helps keep vitamin D levels safe in the body (and vice versa), rather than depleting each other, according to an article from the Weston A Price Foundation.

This also makes sense because most foods contain nutrients that work together in the body. Foods also usually contain nutrients in appropriate proportions. Since vitamin A and D are often found together in foods (such as organ meats), it does not make sense that intake of vitamin A would affect vitamin D levels.

The article above concludes that vitamin A is essential for bone health when balanced with other important nutrients in the diet (including vitamin D). Vitamin A supports bone health by slowing bone matrix growth while increasing mineralization. The 2004 study above may have found that the balance between vitamin A and vitamin D in the body was disrupted, leading to problems with bone health.

Conclusion: All vitamins and minerals are important and must be in balance!

magnesium

As mentioned above, magnesium helps activate vitamin D in the body, but it also helps balance calcium. Magnesium has been found to act as an antagonist against calcium. This means that it prevents calcium from becoming too high in the body (leading to calcification).

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in bone formation. Both calcium and magnesium are required at a very specific and stable level in the blood. When blood levels drop, both are stripped from the bones. While we focus a lot on calcium for bone strength, magnesium is clearly just as important!

Collagen and Vitamin C

Collagen makes up about 25 percent of the dry weight of bones. The results of a 2010 study suggest that bone density is highly dependent on the quality of the bones' collagen matrix. In other words, the more collagen produced in the body, the better the bone health.

Additionally, vitamin C plays a role in collagen production and has been found to have an impact on bone density.

Balanced nutrients

While there are some vitamins that are more necessary for bone health than others, it is important to get a balanced intake of all vitamins and minerals. In fact, supplementing with one nutrient (like calcium) can do more harm than good when other nutrients are lacking. As already mentioned, magnesium and calcium as well as vitamins A and D balance each other out. That's why getting nutrients from food is always the best choice, as most sources of a nutrient also contain its cofactors (nutrients that work with it in the body).

Natural remedies for broken bones

When my daughter broke her leg, I knew I had to help her body heal as quickly as possible so she could walk and play again. While immobilizing the broken bone is important (using a cast or splint), there are additional ways to aid bone repair. Here are some of the ways we did this:

Nutrient dense diet

Eating high-quality, nutrient-dense foods is one of the best ways to support bone health. It is always best to get nutrients from food sources whenever possible. The following should be noted:

• Angemessenes Kalzium – und es muss nicht aus Milch sein! Probieren Sie Blattgemüse, Sardinen, fermentierte Rohmilch, Fisch mit Knochen, einige Nüsse und Samen. Wenn Sie keine Milchprodukte essen, gibt es immer noch viele Möglichkeiten, genug Kalzium zu bekommen.
• Fettlösliche Vitamine aus Lebensmitteln – Probieren Sie Organfleisch, grasgefütterte Milchprodukte, fermentiertes Gemüse und Lebertran.
• Aminosäuren für die Kollagenproduktion – Sie können Aminosäuren in gesunden Proteinquellen wie Weideiern, grasgefüttertem und weidendem Fleisch sowie Kollagen oder Gelatine von gesunden Tieren finden.
• Magnesium – Wie bereits erwähnt, enthalten die meisten Lebensmittel, die einen Nährstoff enthalten, auch den Antagonisten-Nährstoff. Um mehr Magnesium zu erhalten, essen Sie die für Kalzium aufgeführten Lebensmittel. Andere Lebensmittel mit hohem Magnesiumgehalt sind dunkle Schokolade, wild gefangene Meeresfrüchte (insbesondere Lachs, Makrele und Thunfisch) sowie Früchte wie Avocado und Banane.
• Vitamin C-Lebensmittel – In Obst und Gemüse finden Sie viel Vitamin C – insbesondere Blattgemüse, Zitrusfrüchte und tropische Früchte, Erdbeeren, Rosenkohl und Brokkoli.

By eating a real diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy protein, you are in a great position to get all of these important nutrients to support your bone health.

However, if you are facing a bone fracture, supplements may be needed to help bone repair. A high-quality calcium and magnesium supplement (in balance) can support the structure of the bone.

Sleep

I've written before about the importance of getting adequate (and quality!) sleep. It is one of the big factors that contribute to overall health. But it can also indirectly influence bone health through melatonin. You may already know that our bodies secrete melatonin (triggered by dim light) to prepare the body for sleep.

Melatonin also acts as an antioxidant in the body, scavenging free radicals (and reducing inflammation) in bone cells. Melatonin also interacts with other hormones such as estrogen to influence bone remodeling. Because of these functions, melatonin may play a role in keeping bones strong, according to a 2013 analysis.

Our top recommendations for a good night’s sleep are:

• Ernähre dich gesund mit antioxidantienreichen Lebensmitteln, gesunden Fetten und Proteinen.
• Entwickeln Sie eine gesunde Schlafroutine – gehen Sie früh ins Bett!
• Verbessern Sie Ihre Schlafumgebung, indem Sie das Licht ausschalten, die Temperatur senken und natürlichere Betten wählen.

Sleep is so important for overall health. I make it a point to go to bed early and get enough sleep every night. I use  blue light blocking glasses to get to bed on time too.

Sleeping better can be a long process, but I promise it's worth it!

Stress reduction

Just like not enough sleep, stress can have a big impact on your health. In fact, it could have more impact than diet and exercise! Stress can interfere with hormones and affect many functions in the body, including fertility and sleep. It can also affect bone density. A 2013 study of male cyclists found that higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) reduced bone mineral density. This is because cortisol blocks calcium absorption and even triggers the metabolism of bone minerals.

Stress is a big part of modern life, but there are some  simple things you can do to reduce it:

• Genügend Schlaf bekommen – Während Stress es schwierig machen kann, genug Schlaf zu bekommen, ist auch das Gegenteil der Fall.
• Reduzieren Sie Toxine – sowohl in Lebensmitteln als auch in der Umwelt. Toxine belasten den Körper und führen dazu, dass Leber und Nieren nicht optimal funktionieren.
• Wege zum Entspannen finden – Ja, es kann sich wie eine andere Sache auf der Liste anfühlen, aber es ist wichtig. Selbst wenn Sie nur mit 15 Sekunden achtsamen Atmens beginnen können, finden Sie einen Weg, dies zu tun. Es gibt eine Reihe von Apps, die dabei helfen können.

You can start with just a few minutes of stress reduction per day, but small changes can lead to big improvements over time.

Herbs

Herbs are another natural remedy that can help heal a broken bone and strengthen healthy bones. These are usually used in a poultice on the affected area or taken internally.

Herbs commonly used traditionally to heal bones and also supported in scientific studies include:

• Knochensetzer (Cissus quadrangularis) – hat entzündungshemmende und antibakterielle Eigenschaften und schützt vor oxidativem Stress und Leberproblemen.
• Indische Sarsaparilla (Cryptolepis buchanani) – reich an Vitamin C, wird dieses Kraut seit Generationen auch in der traditionellen Medizin für Knochenbrüche, Osteoporose und eine Reihe anderer Krankheiten verwendet.
• Beinwell (Symphytum officinale oder Symphytum uplandica) – auch als Strickknochen bekannt – Beinwell hat eine lange Tradition in der Anwendung bei Knochenbrüchen.
• Bambus (Bambusa arundinacea)
• Arnika (Arnica montana)
• CBD (Cannabinoide)
• Wilder Betel (Piper sarmentosum)
• Schachtelhalm (Equisetum-Arten) – enthält eine beträchtliche Menge an Kalzium und anderen Mineralien
• Piplie (Piper longum)
• Dan Sheng (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

Other herbs that have traditionally been used for bone fractures include:

• Knochensatz (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Brennnessel (Urtica dioica)

Consult a naturopath or herbalist to find out which herbs are best.

I have not personally used all of the herbs mentioned above and would not give them to children without discussing it with a doctor. Our herbal regimen looked more like this:

• Tee aus Beinwell, Schachtelhalm und / oder Brennnessel, während sich der Knochen bessert
• ein Vitamin C-reiches Kraut wie Hibiskus (es ist leicht, dies auch als Tee zu finden)
• Beinwellpackungen oder Liniment wickeln sich direkt auf die Verletzung (wenn von einem Arzt erlaubt)

Healthy lifestyle

Of course, a healthy lifestyle is important for overall health, but it's also really important for bone health. Exercise is a simple way to ensure bone strength. According to a Harvard.edu article, a bone-strengthening exercise should include weight-bearing (walking, swimming, tennis, etc.), strength training (weight machines, push-ups, etc.), and stretching.

Ask your doctor what type of exercise is best for you while your bone improves.

Remedies for broken bones: is it possible?

As previously mentioned, these remedies are not intended to replace immobilization of the broken bone (as is the case with a cast or splint). These should be used in conjunction with your doctor's recommendations. These agents help the body repair bone and can also help build healthy, strong bones in the long term.

This article was medically reviewed by (link removed), a specialist in internal medicine and pediatrics. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we encourage you to speak to your doctor.

Have you ever used natural remedies for broken bones? What was your experience?[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” color=”white” active_section=”3″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Sources” tab_id=“1599801349079-fb805a3b-23a3″][vc_column_text]

• Tanaka, K. & Kuwabara, A. (2009). Fettlösliche Vitamine zur Erhaltung der Knochengesundheit. Klinisches Calcium. doi: CliCa090913541360 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19721209
• Frandsen, NE & Gordeladze, JO (2017). Vitamin K2 und Knochengesundheit. Vitamin K2 – lebenswichtig für Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden. doi: 10.5772 / 64876 https://www.intechopen.com/books/vitamin-k2-vital-for-health-and-wellbeing/vitamin-k2-and-bone-health
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• S. Castiglioni, A. Cazzaniga, W. Albisetti & J. Maier (2013). Magnesium und Osteoporose: aktueller Wissensstand und zukünftige Forschungsrichtungen. Nutrients, 5 (8), 3022–3033. doi: 10.3390 / nu5083022 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775240/
• Saito, M. & Marumo, K. (2009). Kollagenvernetzungen als Determinante der Knochenqualität: eine mögliche Erklärung für die Knochenbrüchigkeit bei Alterung, Osteoporose und Diabetes mellitus. Osteoporosis International, 21 (2), 195–214. doi: 10.1007 / s00198-009-1066-z https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19760059
• Yilmaz, C., Erdemli, E., Selek, H., Kinik, H., Arikan, M. & Erdemli, BF (2001). Der Beitrag von Vitamin C zur Heilung experimenteller Frakturen. Archiv für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, 121 (7), 426–428. doi: 10.1007 / s004020100272 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11510911
• Liu, J., Huang, F. & He, H.-W. (2013). Melatonin-Effekte auf harte Gewebe: Knochen und Zahn. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14 (5), 10063–10074. doi: 10.3390 / ijms140510063 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676828/
• Mathis, SL, Farley, RS, Fuller, DK, Jetton, AE und Caputo, JL (2013). Die Beziehung zwischen Cortisol und Knochenmineraldichte bei kompetitiven männlichen Radfahrern. Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013, 1–7. doi: 10.1155 / 2013/896821 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jsm/2013/896821/
• Singh, V. (2017). Heilpflanzen und Knochenheilung. National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery, 8 (1), 4. doi: 10.4103 / 0975-5950.208972 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5512407/
• Rauchen und Knochengesundheit. (nd). Abgerufen von https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/conditions-behaviors/bone-smoking

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