09/18/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
Preventing osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women, is possible with the help of this traditional Asian medicine, according to research. A study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine revealed that taking red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) extract with liquid calcium can make the bone stronger and prevent osteoporosis.
Type 1 osteoporosis is most common in postmenopausal women and is associated with an estrogen deficiency. As women age, their ovaries do as well, affecting ovarian function, such as the production of estrogen. On the other hand, type 2 osteoporosis is caused by aging and is mostly due to decreased dietary calcium and vitamin D or increased parathyroid gland activity. (Related: Osteoporosis – This Silent Disease Affects More Than Just Older Women.)
Researchers from Kyung Hee University in Korea aimed to find a natural solution to keep the bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis. In their study, they looked at the protective effects of red sage extracts combined with liquefied calcium supplement against osteoporosis.
For the study, they orally gave ovariectomized mice with different doses of red sage extracts, a combination of red sage extracts and liquefied calcium, or liquid calcium supplement every day for 12 weeks. After the treatment, the mice were subjected to micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis to evaluate structural bone loss.
The micro-CT analysis results revealed that oral treatment of red sage extracts combined with liquid calcium prevented tibial bone loss, sustained trabecular bone state, and improved bone biochemical markers. Moreover, it decreased levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), which plays a role in osteoclast regulation, osteocalcin, and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP). It also exhibited better protection against estrogen-dependent bone loss compared to red sage extracts and liquefied calcium.
Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that red sage extracts combined with liquid calcium supplement may improve bone mineral density and prevent bone loss due to estrogen deficiency.
Red sage is known as danshen in Chinese medicine. Red sage is available in various forms: capsules, tincture, and tea. This herb has been used for hundreds of years as a medicine for many health conditions. Here are some of them:
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, bone health, bone loss, bone mineral density, calcium, danshen, estrogen deficiency, herbal medicine, Herbs, natural cures, natural healing, natural medicine, natural remedies, Naturopathy, nutrients, nutrition, osteoporosis, red sage, supplements
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