I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.
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Dementia and Your Loved One
Mineral Water: Could It Help Stave Off Osteoporosis?
Vickie Armstrong
If you've followed your doctor's instructions for osteoporosis prevention and you still want to do more to keep your skeleton safe, you may have an interesting new option: drinking mineral water. Unlike some stronger supplements, you can't make yourself sick drinking mineral water, and the benefits it has to offer may surprise you.
What Is Mineral Water?
While the term mineral water may be colloquially used to refer to any carbonated or bottled water, it actually has a specific meaning where the FDA is concerned.
In order for a product to be labeled mineral water, it must be sources from a genuine, protected underground spring. That means companies can't use a mineral water label to fool you into drinking trumped up tap water. Additionally, nothing may be added to mineral water before it's bottled except carbonation, so companies wishing to use the term must deliver water to you exactly as it's found in nature.
How Can Minerals Strengthen Your Bones?
The minerals you'll find in a bottle of spring water are vital for hundreds of reactions in your body, and this includes strengthening and maintaining your bones. Here are common minerals found in this water which can also promote bone health:
- Potassium: This mineral is a popular solution for preventing muscle cramps, but scientists now believe it can also help prevent osteoporosis by neutralizing the acids that cause bones to break down.
- Calcium: The building material for all bones. Since osteoporosis results in a loss of bone mass faster than your body can replace it, increasing your calcium intake can help rebuild your bones more quickly. Building strong bones before you develop osteoporosis can also help to stave it off.
- Magnesium: If calcium is a building material for bones, magnesium is the building permit. It stimulates production of calcitonin, a hormone that encourages bone growth and discourages the body from reabsorbing bone mass.
The best part about mineral water is that it delivers these minerals together, preventing you from going out of balance. Too much calcium without magnesium, for example, might give you a magnesium deficiency as it gets used up in adding calcium to the bones. With mineral water, this risk is negated.
What's The Catch?
Mineral water does have one downside when it comes to bone health: sodium. In people who consume a high-calcium diet, sodium can prevent the body from using the calcium, instead passing it uselessly and allowing your bones to deteriorate. Fortunately, not all brands of mineral water are high in sodium, and most mineral water companies will inform you of the mineral balance in your water, allowing you to shop for low-sodium varieties.
Low-sodium mineral water is harmless at worst and can offer some seriously health benefits at best. If you're worried about developing osteoporosis, consider adding a few bottles to your grocery list. You can get it from many sources, including Nature's Energy. Years form now, your skeleton will thank you.
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