Bone Health Supplements

Bone Health Supplements knows that for many of us, we have major lifestyle changes as fall and winter approach. We may not be outdoors as much with colder weather and shorter days. And less time outdoors, and less sun exposure, can mean a deficiency in Vitamin D, a critical vitamin for bone health.

Did you know that typically about 5-20 minutes of sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm about twice a week is the recommended amount for sufficient Vitamin D for the average adult?   Not much, right?  However, many of us do not get that, especially in the Fall and and Winter.  My doctor recently informed me that if you live above 42 degrees north latitude (you could draw a line on a map of the U.S. between the northern California and Boston) you will not get enough sunlight for cutaneous vitamin D absorbtion and  synthesis from November through February.  If you live even further north, this reduced intensity lasts for up to 6 months. The good news is that for others living in latitudes below 34 degrees north (drawing another line between Los Angeles and Columbia, South Carolina) those U.S. residents do receive sufficient sunlight for cutaneous production of vitamin D throughout the year.

As previously revealed in our sister site, Bone Health Vitamins and an article entitled, “Bone Health Vitamins and Key Vitamins for Women”, Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and fighting off osteoporosis.  In fact, this is not just about women’s bones, but the bone health in men as well.  Furthermore, Vitamin D is a key vitamin that we should ensure is part of the daily diet and routine for our children and teenagers as it is never too early to focus on bone health.

How can you maintain your necessary Vitamin D intake?  First of all, you should be getting about 400-800 IU of Vitamin D.   This is a range, and you should discuss your Vitamin D needs with your physician before starting any kind of vitamin or supplement for your bones.    D3 is typically the best supplement to get for bone health, as it is usually the best-absorbed. 

You can also address your daily Vitamin D needs in your diet.  Unfortunately, few foods in nature contain Vitamin D.  However, many fortified foods do include Vitamin D, especially milk, as milk fortification was long ago implemented to combate rickets.   

D-rich foods include:

Fish, such as tuna, sardines, salmon

Fish Oil

Vitamin D fortified foods like milk or orange juice, yogurt (check labels closely, as different products may or may not fortify with Vitamin D) and breakfast cereals

There are great supplement options to ensure that you get the daily allotment of Vitamin D for your bone health when you see less and less sun in the Fall and Winter months.  Discuss your Vitamin D options with your physician and create a plan to address Vitamin D in both your diet, lifestyle and supplements!

Bone Health Supplements and Bone Health Vitamins  want to remind you that your mom was right about eating your fruits and veggies! Did you know that one of the best things that you can do to improve your bone health is to eat more fruits and veggies?

I recently read that people who consume the most fruits and vegetables enjoy higher bone density levels than those that have diets low in fruits and vegetables. This is based off of the diets of people who consumed at least 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables. Only FIVE servings a day can dramatically impact bone density levels? Seems easy to accomplish, right?

Tips to enjoy more fruits and veggies:

Add fresh fruit to your morning routine of cereal or outmeal. Just a handful of fresh berries a day can bring healthy antioxidants to your diet and help you to maintain stronger bones!

Skip the soda, substitute a fresh fruit juice. The soda may give you a short term sugar boost, however, the fruit juice will give your body a natural boost, as well as positively impact your bone density!

Cut up carrots, celery, apple slices and other yummy natural snacks and have them fridge-ready and handy in snack-size baggies. They are easy to grab, easy to pack in a briefcase, backpack or purse, and you can take all the work out of preparing the snacks by creating multiple snack packs all at once! You can even add healthy, organic peanut butter, almond butter, hummus or other healthy spreads and snacks to make the veggie or fruit snack more appealing and less boring or monotonous!

Add veggies to every meal, by adding a side salad, or incorporating the vegetables into the meal itself. Love pasta? Adding brocoli to your usual pasta meal not only adds appetizing color, but a healthy way to fortify your bone density. Chop carrots, celery and other veggies into your hamburger mix, chili or meatloaf. You will add a new level of flavors, add moisture and texture to your usual meal and impact your bones!

Hit the Farmer’s Market, or check out local produce providers to get the freshest fruit and veggies available, as well as interesting new varieties that you can experiment with in your cooking and baking. If you do not have a Farmer’s Market available, check out services that will deliver fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to your doorstep! Farm Fresh to You is just one example, you may be able to find a service in your community or surrounding community that offers a similar service! AAA Fruit Baskets can be the best gift you give to a loved one, or even yourself! Shop Fruit Baskets Now

Got a sweet tooth? Eat a yogurt with fresh fruit, or an energy bar with a fruit serving. The natural sweetness of fruit can soothe that sweet tooth, saving you calories and fat…and making for stronger bones!

Okay, fine. So you cannot eat enough fruits and vegetables. At least take a multi-vitamin or bone health supplement to your daily routine to help your body get those much needed vitamins and minerals found naturally in fruits and vegetables.

Do you have other great ideas on how to add fruit and vegetable servings to your every day routine?

Phosphorus is a bone health supplement that many of us may overlook.  Discuss if you need to boost your phosphorus intake with your physician.  There are a variety of bone health supplements and bone health vitamins that you can take to positively impact your bone health, however, you should always consult with your physician prior to making any changes to your diet, exercise or supplementation plans.

Phosphorus supplement – how do you ensure that you include this humble mineral in your diet?

Phosphorus is essential for the structure and function of your body, phosphorus is also vital for communication between cells and for energy production.

It is found in most foods and deficiency is rare, but too much phosphorus can upset your mineral balance and decrease calcium levels.

How It Works

Phosphorus is needed for the production of energy from food and to activate the B-complex vitamins (also involved in energy production).

It is a component of genetic material, essential for growth and repair, and combines with calcium to form calcium phosphate, which makes teeth and bones rigid.

Phosphorus requires vitamin D and calcium in order to function and you need to have twice as much calcium as phosphorus for both to work properly.

Deficiency Symptoms

Deficiency of phosphorus will result in these symptoms:

Bone pain

Weak, soft bones

Twitching muscles

Loss of appetite

Fatigue

Benefits of Phosphorus Supplements

Bone Health - Phosphorus is needed to maintain bone density, and an increased intake may shorten the time broken bones take to heal.

Energy Booster - Phosphorus is valued by athletes because it increases endurance and reduces tiredness.

Alcoholism - Phosphorus supplements are thought to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Heavy drinkers are usually deficient in phosphorus and may need to take supplement.

Kidney Stones - Kidney stones reduces the level of calcium in urine and may help to protect against the formation of kidney stones.

Phosphorus supplement is essential for the structure and efficiency of your body, phosphorus helps to boost energy levels and fight fatigue.

How to get phosphorus from your supplements?

Multimineral tablets usually include a low dose of phosphorus, despite the fact that deficiency is rare.

Antacids and alcohol may interfere with phosphorus levels, and pregnant or breastfeeding women may need slightly higher doses.

Precautions

Fizzy cola drinks may upset your calcium- phosphorus balance (they contain high amounts of phosphotic acid). Extra phosphorus should only be taken under medical supervision.

Author: Kim Kia Tan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Kia_Tan

Yet another key bone health supplement is zinc.  Zinc is critcal in collagen formationa, and it is the collagen tissue that is necessary for calcium to deposit and form bone.   If you have more questions about how to supplement your bone health with zinc, or other bone health supplements or bone health vitamins, discuss your concerns and questions with your physican.

Zinc can do more to prevent brittle bones than any other nutrient. Collagen tissue is necessary for the deposition of calcium phosphate to form bone. That is, collagen tissue provides the infrastructure for the bone to be formed. It is into this structure that calcium is deposited to form the bone. The presence of collagen is essential for bone strength and density. Without it all the calcium in your diet has nowhere to go and zinc is an essential part of collagen formation.

Collagen holds it all together

Collagen is the most widespread tissue in the body. It forms the background of all your tissues of all your organs, making them firm and resilient. When the skin starts to wrinkle and loose elasticity you can be sure that your collagen cells are not as active as they used to be.

Each strand of collagen is made up of amino acids and it takes many of these amino acids to make up one strand. The strength of collagen tissue is increased as some of the molecules are strengthened by a biochemical process initiated by vitamin C. This process helps to stabilize the whole collagen structure. If the process does not occur the bones soften. Three single strands of collagen are, initially, twisted around one another, forming a triplet. Three of these triplets are then twisted around each other forming a super cable. Each strand is also bonded to adjacent strands by cross-linking. It is into this collagen structure that calcium phosphate is deposited to form your bones. Bone therefore consists of collagen (an organic protein – live material) and calcium phosphate (an inorganic material).

Collagen ages slowly to be replaced by new collagen tissue. To ensure that this process continues it is important to see that your intake of protein and nutrients are adequate. One of the important nutrients is zinc.

Zinc a critical nutrient

Adequate levels of zinc are necessary to form collagen tissue, unite bone fractures, heal wounds and prevent osteoporosis. For the formation of collagen tissue zinc is essential, other nutrients are also necessary, but zinc is the most important.

It is recommended that you have 12 to 15 mg of zinc a day and that this level be increased during pregnancy.

Food sources of zinc include: meat, chicken, beans, nuts and oysters.

Dietary phytates, which are found in wholegrain cereals and unleavened bread may significantly decrease the absorption of zinc. There is also the possibility that increasing your calcium level inappropriately can interfere with zinc absorption.

Zinc can be taken as a supplement and should be taken as a salt, such as, zinc sulphate, combined with vitamin C. Zinc is best absorbed after eating a protein meal – preferably not breakfast which could contain foods high in dietary phytates.

Zinc, pregnancy and the first stage of osteoporosis

Johns Hospital Medical School estimates that 85 percent of pregnant women throughout the developed world have an intake of zinc that is insufficient for the pregnancy. During pregnancy zinc requirements increase by 50% during the last 15 to 10 weeks. If the mother does not consume sufficient zinc, then zinc in her muscles and bones will be given to the fetus, thus starting the first stage of osteoporosis. (NOTE: the British Medical Association advises that zinc sulphate be avoided or used with caution during pregnancy as safety is not established and it crosses the placenta.)

Calcium and osteoporosis

The reason for the emphasis on the calcium content of bones to prevent osteoporosis, and for the neglect of zinc as the critical nutrient, is that when X-rayed, zinc and collagen are invisible. When osteoporotic bone is X-rayed and compared to normal bone, it appears transparent because you are unable to see the normal amounts of calcium. Medical Practitioners often recommend increased calcium consumption but then neglect to recommend a zinc supplement to help replace the collagen. Unfortunately, without the collagen and zinc the calcium has nowhere to go, which will see the development of the osteoporosis to continue.

Fractures and zinc

There are two stages to the healing of bone:

Initially, after the fracture, an extensive blood clot forms around the ends of the fractured bone. Collagen forming cells invade the blood clot producing a specialized form of collagen which wraps itself around the fracture. Slowly, the bone forming cells move into the collagen tissue, now called a callus. These cells lay down the calcium, giving the bone its strength again.

If the patient is given zinc supplements immediately after the fracture occurs, a large amount of collagen tissue is formed quickly, as the enzymes responsible for laying down the bone callus are activated by zinc. Zinc is not only responsible for rapidly increasing the amount of collagen tissue around the fracture, it is also responsible for activating the bone cells which deposit the calcium into the collagen tissue.

Exercise and zinc

It is paradoxical that physical exercise which is recommended for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis can also increase it if the person exercising has insufficient nutrients – in particular zinc. People who exercise excessively lose a significant amount of zinc in sweat. The loss of zinc in sweat per hour can exceed by 50% the excretion of zinc in urine in 24 hours.

In America this condition is labelled ‘brittle bones, but good body’. In women the condition is also accompanied by amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation) as a zinc deficiency can decrease ovarian activity.

Menopause

In the lead up to menopause the formation of collagen tends to slow down as the activity of the hormones decreases. Beyond menopause a zinc deficiency can be more pronounced with the accelerating loss of collagen and calcium. If the loss of collagen is due to the lack of zinc then calcium excretion can increase.

One of the effects of the reduced estrogen production is an increased excretion of hydroxyproline, an amino acid critical in stabilizing collagen structure. Calcium will do nothing to prevent this occurring. It is therefore important to guard against the rundown of your collagen tissue at menopause. This is achieved by maintaining an adequate intake of nutrients, including zinc.

Zinc is an important (and often underestimated) nutrient for the prevention of osteoporosis. Zinc is often deficient in the diet and in times of added need such as during pregnancy or menopause or when doing a lot of exercising the zinc levels in the body can run low.

References

Bland, J. 1996, Contemporary Nutrition. J & B Associates.

Davies, S. and A. Stewart., 1997, Nutritional Medicine. Pan.

Fitzherbert, J.C. 2002, Osteoporosis: The Missing Zinc. Wellbeing, Issue 87.

Holden, S., Hudson, K., Tilman, J. & D. Wolf, 2003, The Ultimate Guide to Health from Nature. Asrolog Publication.

Pressman, A. and S. Buff, 2000, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. (2nd Ed.) Alpha Books.

Soothill, R. 1996, The Choice Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. A Choice Book Publication.

Sullivan, K. 2002, Vitamins and Minerals: A Practical Approach to a Health Diet and Safe Supplementation. Harper Collins.

Author: Dr Jenny Tylee

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Jenny_Tylee

Key bone health supplements include taking calcium.  Ask your physician if you need to supplement calcium for your bone health. 

Calcium is found in many naturally occurring substances such as limestone, calcite, chalk, gypsum, and coral reefs. In all these substances it occurs as calcium carbonate. Many other compounds like calcium citrate, calcium phosphate and calcium glycinate are also found naturally.

Coral reefs can be termed as a source of vegetarian calcium supplements. Coral calcium is obtained from fossilized coral reefs above sea level without disturbing the ecosystem. This coral calcium is essentially calcium carbonate but it also contains traces of many other minerals like magnesium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus.

Many companies are using this coral calcium as a source of calcium in their supplement products. This is because this salt has been found to be very effective in promoting bone health and assisting in the treatment and prevention of many degenerative diseases. Other benefits of coral calcium include assisting in weight loss, preventing kidney stones and treating prolonged depression, especially in women.

Coral calcium is used as a source of vegetarian calcium supplements because it not only provides up to 40% elementary calcium but also has a higher absorption rate than normal calcium coming from other sources.

This was shown in studies done at various Japanese universities where they used a special kind of coral calcium known as Okinawan coral calcium on people of all ages. They found out that people who intake more coral calcium daily than others were at a reduced risk of developing bone disease, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to this, people who were given coral calcium supplements had been able to overcome their calcium deficiency in just about weeks.

Okinawa is an island in Japan and it’s known for the special coral calcium it provides. This coral calcium is also sometimes referred to as marine grade Okinawa coral calcium. Supplements made with this calcium salt are the most effective and beneficial and can be used by people of all ages.

Other than coral calcium, calcium extracted from green vegetables such as kale and fruits like dates and oranges can also be termed as a source of vegetarian calcium supplements. These supplements are available in liquid form and are equally effective with no side effects at all.

Normally it is recommended to consume at least 1000 mg of calcium daily. This calcium can be obtained from diet and calcium supplements.

Author: John Gibb

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb

There are a variety of bone health supplements and bone health vitamins that not only help to impact your bone health, but can help impact your overall health in a variety of ways.  If you have more questions about any of these vitamins and supplements, discuss them with your physician.  Before starting any new bone health supplement routine you should discuss that with your doctor. 

Vitamins are an important and essential part of our overall health and fitness. So much so that it would be impossible to survive without them. Find out how they can help you.
Read more…

There are a variety of bone health supplements that have a positive impact on your bones, and one such supplement is Omega-3 fatty acids.  Ask your doctor whether Omega-3 fatty acids could help to positively impact your bone health, and how to best add it to your diet and bone health supplement routine. 

Omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated beneficial effects for heart, vision, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and mental health.

A study published in the March 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that omega-3 fatty acids also benefit bone health in young men.

Researchers had blood samples taken from 78 healthy young men with an average age of 17 years who participated in the Northern Osteoporosis and Obesity Study. Researchers also measured the bone mineral density of the participants’ total body, hip, and spine. They then measured bone mineral density changes between 16 and 22 years of age and 22 and 24 years of age.

The researchers found that men with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had a 27% increase in total body bone mineral density by the time they reached 22 years of age. There was also a 26% increase in spine bone mineral density between 16 and 22 years of age.

In addition to fatty fish and omega-3 supplements, Neptune krill oil is another important source of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. This study did not measure omega-3 intake; only blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were measured. The researchers could therefore not make specific recommendations for omega-3 dosage for young men.

Nevertheless, they cited research showing that fish oil supplementation increases bone health in the elderly and concluded that ‘omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are positively associated with bone mineral accrual (growth) and, thus, with peak bone mineral density in young men.’ Citing other studies indicating beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on bone mineral density in other populations, researchers identified no reason that omega-3 fatty acids would not help bone accrual in other segments of the population.

Source: Hgstrm M, Nordstrm P, Nordstrm A. n-3 Fatty acids are positively associated with peak bone mineral density and bone accrual in healthy men: the NO2 Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Mar;85:803-7.

By: Howard Simon

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Here is a great article about how herbal supplements can positively impact your bone health.  While it is important to incorporate bone health supplements into your daily bone health routine, be sure to discuss all of your options first with your physician.  Some bone health supplements could possibly interfere with other medications you may be taking, even herbal supplements.  And it is always best to discuss with your doctor prior to trying any new supplement, diet or exercise routine! 

The human bone is a rigid organ that forms part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. The main function of bones is to move, support, and protect the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Human bones come in a variety of shapes and have complex internal and external structures, which allow them to be lightweight yet strong and hard, while doing other major functions.

Herbs and other natural supplements can help maintain good bone health and structure. Eating a cup of cooked green vegetables every day is difficult, even for the most motivated person. However, drinking nourishing herbal concoctions, eating seaweeds, and using medicinal herbal vinegars is quite easy to do.

These herbs and veggies are easy and fun to prepare and use, are very tasty, and add a big nutritional punch with basically no calories included. Nourishing herbs and garden weeds are typically more richer in minerals than ordinary food. And to add, nourishing herbs are exceptional sources of minerals, and their minerals are better at preventing bone breaks than supplements.

The power of herbs to counter osteoporosis may be more complex than their richness of minerals, however. The minerals in green, leafy plants seem to be used more readily by the body and to be ideal for keeping bones healthy.

Health researchers have done extensive research in rural China, where the lowest known fracture rates for midlife and older people were discovered. The report states that the closer people get to a diet based on plant foods and leafy vegetables, the lower the rates of many diseases, including osteoporosis occurs.

Calcium and vitamin D are important minerals needed to maintain healthy bones. Calcium mainly helps build bone mass and slow down bone loss, while vitamin D helps the body efficiently absorb calcium. A person can get both these critical nutrients through supplements daily; people are required, or best asked to consume around an estimated 500 to 700 mg per day of calcium from supplements and 1,000 IU of vitamin D from all sources and, better yet, increase your consumption of calcium and vitamin D-rich food such as:

Calcium: eat plenty of dairy food, dark leafy greens such as kale and collards, broccoli, canned salmon with bones, sardines, and dried figs. There are also calcium-fortified foods such as soy milk and cereals.
Vitamin D: get more oily fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon or sardine. Add fortified soy milk, orange juice and cereals into your diet too.

After a person reaches his mid-20′s, the bones are like to have reached their peak bone mass. This could mean that if you are a woman, you will be carrying to menopause the density that your bones have accrued when you were much younger.

Osteoporosis and bone fractures have become a really large problem for older women and some men too. The most notable preventive measure one can do is to increase calcium intake now, along with regular weight bearing exercises, and a healthy consumption of herbs and greens to help slow down future bone loss.

Prime Herbal – http://primeherbal.com

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Studies have recently shown that populations who are primarily vegetarian have healthy bones, even those that are exclusively vegetarian.  There are certainly lifestyle differences in those vegetarians, but it certainly points that eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and alternative forms of protein other than red meat can be healthy for bones.  It is important to take bone health supplements, but one of the most important way to impact your bones every day is through your diet.  If yo have more questions about a vegetarian lifestyle, or what diet is best to address your bone health issues, discuss your options with your physician. 

Still not convinced that vegetables are good for your bones? Another study conducted among boys and girls aged 16-18 and women of ages 60-83 reveals positive associations between the intake of fruits and vegetables to healthy bones.

The result of this research reveals a better mineral status for the bones, specifically the spine. The study suggests that the effect is due to the acid-base balance in which the consumption of fruits and vegetables produces an alkalizing effect. Meanwhile, other components that would help produce the desired results include vitamin K and phytoestrogens.

By eating a balanced diet, vegetarians can benefit from the essential health components that are present in most plant food sources. It has been stated several times that vegetables do contain the same helpful nutrients that your body needs. But how do they exactly aid in maintaining healthy bones? Let’s analyze each of these nutrients to know what they can do to your body and which types of plant sources you can get it from:

Vitamin A or retinol

This type of nutrient contributes to a healthy skin, fights off infection, and promotes growth of your bones. To get your vitamin A, you must eat carrots, dried apricots, and spinach, among others.

Vitamin D

For vegans who are not always exposed to the sunlight, you will need to take supplements for vitamin D. after all, this type of nutrient aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphate which produces healthy bones and teeth.

Calcium

Calcium is the ultimate source of nutrients to help build, maintain, or strengthen your bones. You can get calcium from eating leafy greens, sesame seeds, almonds, or dried fruit.

Phosphorus

This works together with calcium in helping maintain the strength of your bones and teeth.

Dairy products are not the only source of calcium. There are several other sources that come before dairies as a rich source of calcium, which are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, turnip greens, and collard greens. What makes this a better choice than dairy to achieve stronger bones is the presence of other nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

Author: Arman Hansen

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arman_Hansen

Many people are taking shark cartilage as a bone health supplement.  If you have questions about how shark cartilage could impact your bone health, contact your physician.  You should always consult with your doctor prior to taking any kind of bone health supplement or bone health vitamin to ensure that it fits in your current regimen of medications, supplements, diet and exercise.

It evokes horror in the mind of people on the beach, the triangle shaped tail fin. It is this very aquatic animal’s cartilage tissue that we call shark cartilage. Its contribution to the formational of the skeletal system is vital. A translucent elastic tissue it composes most of the skeleton of embryonic and very young vertebrates. Post a process of calcification it transforms into bones and makes a fully developed skeletal system.

There are three types of cartilage tissue-

Fibro cartilage- It is found between the back bones and is of the strongest types.

Hyaline cartilage- It is a grisly elastic tissue covering the moving end of bones, it also connects the ribs to the breast bone and supports the nose also the windpipe and a part of the voice box.

Yellow cartilage- This is the most elastic of the three and is found in the external ear, Eustachian tube and throat.

Uses of Shark Cartilage

Forms of Use-

Powdered form of shark cartilage- It is available as bulk powdered form and is generally for oral consumption on mixing it with water or fruit juice. It can also be taken through a rectal retention enema. Another form that powdered shark cartilage is available in is gelatin capsules or pressed into caplets which are taken orally.

It was believed in the earlier times that sharks did not have cancer. So it was believed that taking shark cartilage could work against cancer. Tests conducted on humans so far show that shark cartilage does have some efficacy in controlling growth of tumor cells. There was a study conducted in some humans with macular degeneration and it has shown positive results however more concrete experimentation is required to propound theories.

Side effects and potential dangers in using shark cartilage-

People with allergies to chondroitin or glucosamine should avoid taking products containing shark cartilage. People with allergies to sulfur should also be careful before taking shark cartilage products as they could be sulfated.

People consuming a shark cartilage product called Neovastat did show side effects in spite of using it for about four years. The person consuming shark cartilage could suffer mild stomach discomfort dizziness and fatigue. It has also been observed and is considered in theory that slower wound healing and irregular heartbeat can occur in people taking shark cartilage. Shark cartilage can be considered an occupational safety hazard in facilities using it.

Precaution- Consumption of shark cartilage in any form is not advisable to pregnant women and breast feeding mothers.

Interaction of Shark Cartilage with Drugs-
Shark Cartilage containing products are rich in calcium. So if taken along with any drugs containing calcium or calcium supplements it can increase the level of calcium in the body leading to problems like irregular heartbeats, decrease the growth of blood vessels and healing of wounds.

Interaction of Shark Cartilage with other Herbs and Supplements-
Shark Cartilage can lower blood sugar levels and if taken with glucosamine can increase them. A health care provider should closely monitor the intake of shark cartilage.

Usage
The dosage mentioned below is according to scientific journals or traditional usage
Adults (18 yrs or older) – Extract of ground cartilage- A dose of 80-100 gms per day or 1.3gms per kilogram of body weight.

Children (younger than 18 years) – they should avoid taking shark cartilage as it can hamper normal growth.

Author: Ben W Taylor

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_W_Taylor