Ayurveda Perspective: The Underlying causes of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs when the bones become fragile and porous. It reduces bone density, strength, and quality, hence increasing the risk of fractures.

People with osteoporosis undergo more bone resorption than bone formation, causing the bones to become weaker.

The disease occurs progressively with age. A person may not be aware that he or she has osteoporosis because an individual may not experience any symptoms until a fracture occurs.

According to Ayurveda, osteoporosis (asthi kshaya) is due to an imbalance in the vata dosha. It occurs when excess vata dosha accumulates in the gut, the center of the vata dosha in the body. Eventually, the excess vata dosha mixes with the blood and reaches bone tissue (asthi dhatu).

An imbalance of the vata dosha and poor dietary habits can also weaken the agni (digestion). As a result, fewer vitamins and minerals reach the bones, making them more fragile.

Plus, a weak digestive system cannot digest food properly. Undigested food accumulates in the body as ama (toxins) that pile up in the gut. If these toxins reach the bones, they weaken them, leading to osteoporosis.

Learn everything about osteoporosis and find all the natural solutions to treat it naturally, including various diet programs, alternative medicine, vitamins, supplements, herbal medicine, and home remedies.

Why Ayurveda helps treat Osteoporosis

Ayurveda helps treat osteoporosis because it can support bones health by:

- Improving digestive system: agni (digestive fire) is an important concept in Ayurvedic medicine. A healthy digestive system with strong agni breaks down the food that will nourish the body’s tissues (dhatu).

- Improving lifestyle: Ayurveda improves lifestyle habits by including regular exercising and consuming healthy foods. This is because engaging in poor lifestyle habits can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.

- Eliminate toxins: Ayurveda helps eliminate toxins from the body through vomiting and urination. If these toxins reach the bones, they can lead to the development of osteoporosis.

- Reduce Stress: Ayurveda works to reduce stress because stress can cause a vata imbalance and weakens the bones, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.

How Ayurveda works for Osteoporosis

Ayurveda works on supporting bones health by balancing the vata dosha. This is because the doshas are responsible for regulating every single process in our body. They control and maintain the body’s tissues (dhatu), waste products (mala), and digestion (agni).

If the doshas become imbalanced, the body’s functions get disrupted, causing illness.

According to Ayurveda, a person is just like the universe, made of five elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth.

These elements combine in the body to create three energies or doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

- Vata dosha consists of the elements of space and air. It is the energy of movement.

- Pitta dosha consists of the elements of fire and water. It is the energy of digestion and metabolism.

- Kapha dosha consists of the elements of water and earth. It is the energy that forms different structures in the body, including the bones, muscles, and tendons. Kapha also provides the glue that holds all the cells together and helps the body move smoothly.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Osteoporosis: treatment Protocol

Ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis is specifically tailored to each individual’s case and looks at the dominant dosha in their constitution. However, Ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis generally involves the following aspects:

A- Purvakarma treatments:

Purvakarma is Sanskrit for “foremost action.” It comprises herbal and oil treatments that loosen the accumulated toxins in the gut and bone tissue. Ayurvedic medicine believes these toxins cause osteoporosis.

Accordingly, purvakarma practices direct these toxins to specific waste and elimination centers in the body. They help prepare people for Panchakarma (detoxification therapies).

Purvakarma consist of three treatments:

1- Pachana (digestion therapy): a practice where herbal treatments are administered to the patient. These herbal formulations help the body digest and eliminate toxins in the gut that might weaken bone tissue.

2- Snehana (oleation therapy): a practice where oils, ghee (purified butter), or oils mixed with herbs are ingested internally or applied externally to loosen accumulated toxins in the gut. It also helps lead the toxins to the body’s elimination centers, where they can later be expelled via panchakarma therapies.

The following snehana practice helps people with osteoporosis:

- Abhyanga (massage therapy): a practice where oils, ghee, or oils infused with herbs are massaged vigorously into the body to loosen the toxins in the body. Abhyanga also helps nourish the tissues and restore balance to the imbalanced vata dosha in people with osteoporosis. It is also part of dinacharya (daily routine).

3- Swedana (sudation therapy): is a practice that involves a thermal treatment to help release toxins through the skin. It typically occurs after oleation therapy as the oils help the body absorb the steam. Swedana for osteoporosis targets the whole body (bashpa swedana).

During swedana, the patient sits in a wooden box or room filled with herbal steam to eliminate the toxins in his or her body by sweating. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend having a warm shower after swedana therapy.

Swedana helps pacify vata-related disorders like osteoporosis and increases blood flow throughout the body. Improved circulation to the bones nourishes and strengthens bone tissue, preventing osteoporosis.

B- Panchakarma treatments:

Panchakarma, which is Sanskrit for “five treatments,” is a five-step detox program in Ayurveda. These treatments help detoxify the body and restore balance to the vata, pitta, and kapha doshas.

The five treatments are:

1. Vamana (medicated emesis)

2. Virechana (medicated purgation)

3. Vasti (medicated enema)

4. Nasya (nasal medication)

5. Raktamokshan (bloodletting)

An Ayurvedic practitioner would manage osteoporosis using the following Panchakarma treatments:

1- Virechana (medicated purgation): a practice where patients are given herbal treatments to induce diarrhea. Virechana helps clear out toxins in the gut and restore balance to the pitta dosha. This allows the gut and the bones to absorb calcium more effectively, increasing bone density.

2- Vasti/Basti (medicated enema): vasti is a practice where patients are given oils or liquids that help cleanse their colon. Basti is a practice where patients are given oils infused with herbs to eliminate toxins in their colon. 

Both oil and herbal enemas help manage and prevent osteoporosis because they cleanse the gut. This allows the gut to absorb calcium and send it to be deposited in the bones. Enemas also prevent the accumulation of toxins around the bones and pacify the aggravated vata dosha that causes osteoporosis.

C- Rasayana (Rejuvenation treatments):

In Ayurveda, rasayana, which is Sanskrit for “path of essence,” consists of practices that help rejuvenate and nourish the mind and body. Rasayana practices include consuming herbal treatments or decoctions and maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. They also incorporate exercise, yoga, and a regular self-care routine (dinacharya) to maintain balance in all aspects of life.

The rasayana practices that help treat osteoporosis are explained in more detail below:

1- Dietary Modifications:

The Ayurvedic diet aims to balance all three life energies or doshas in the mind and body. Patients should maintain a diet that restores balance to the vata dosha (energy of movement) to treat or prevent osteoporosis.

An Ayurvedic diet prescribes eating specific foods as part of Purvakarma (preparatory treatments) before Panchakarma (detoxification therapies) to help loosen the accumulated toxins in the gut and around the bones. It also helps nourish the bones, keeping them strong and healthy.

Patients should maintain the Ayurvedic diet even after they complete Purvakarma and Panchakarma therapies.

2- Herbal Treatments:

Ayurveda prescribes herbs or herbal treatments to treat osteoporosis. The treatments are specifically tailored to the person’s symptoms. Practitioners prescribe different herbs depending on the person’s symptoms.

Some of these herbs include:

- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): a herb that helps balance the vata dosha in the body. It also helps maintain bone density. Ashwagandha helps relieve stress, which can erode bone and weaken the bones.

- Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): it helps balance vata, pitta, and kapha doshas. It protects against osteoporosis because it prevents estrogen deficiency. It also has anti-osteoporotic effects, increasing mineral deposition in bones and strengthening them.

- Triphala: an herbal treatment consisting of three different herbs, amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki. These herbs help cleanse the gut to help it absorb nutrients that strengthen bones. Amla (Indian Gooseberry), one herb in the mix, contains a lot of calcium.

- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): asparagus contains a lot of calcium and strengthens the bones.

- Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): an herb that is rich in calcium and can help strengthen bones.

- Horsetail (Equisetum arvense): an herb that contains a lot of minerals. It also helps maintain estrogen levels in post-menopausal women who are at risk of osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency.

- Oat straw (Avena sativa): an herb that contains a lot of calcium and beneficial minerals that protect against osteoporosis.

- Lakshadi guggul: an herbal extract made of the resin of the sacred fig tree. It increases mineral deposition in the bone and increases bone density to treat osteoporosis.

- Turmeric (Haldi): an anti-inflammatory herb that helps build and repair bone and prevents osteoporosis.

- Dandelion root: an herb that increases bone density by allowing the bones to absorb calcium more effectively.

3- Dinacharya (Routine):

Dinacharya or establishing a routine is one aspect of rasayana that helps treat osteoporosis and restores balance to the body and the mind.

It includes:

1- Adjusting dietary habits: Patients should eat foods at regular times. They should also eat healthy foods that help restore balance to the aggravated vata dosha.

2- Regulating sleeping habits: Patients need to adjust their sleeping habits and begin sleeping at regular times every night. This helps pacify vata and keeps bones strong.

3- Exercising regularly: Patients should engage in physical activity every day to restore balance to the vata dosha. Exercise strengthens the bones and prevents loss of bone tissue.

4- Practicing yoga: Patients should practice at least 10 minutes of yoga every day to release stress, one factor that causes osteoporosis. Yoga also helps reverse bone loss.

5- Practicing breathing techniques: Patients should practice breathing techniques or pranayama every day. Pranayama increases oxygen levels in the body and builds bone tissue.

6- Massaging yourself: Patients should massage themselves with a vata-pacifying oil every day to help vata (the energy of movement) move throughout the body and prevent the aggravation of vata.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Osteoporosis: recommendations

- Eat meals regularly: Eat meals at regular times to improve digestion. Eating consistent healthy meals prevents the accumulation of toxins that might cause osteoporosis in the gut.

- Exercise regularly: Engage in physical activity for 30 minutes every day to restore balance to all the doshas and maintain bone density.

- Sleep well: Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get at least 7 hours of sleep. Sleeping well helps relieve stress and maintain bone health.  Poor sleep aggravates vata and erodes the bones.

- Practice yoga: Practice at least 10 minutes of yoga, including breathing techniques (pranayama), every day to relieve stress and strengthen bones.

- Practice activities that increase mindfulness: Practice meditation for at least 20 minutes every day. Meditation helps relieve stress, one factor that triggers osteoporosis.

- Sit in the sun: Sit in the sun for at least 30 minutes every day, preferably in the early morning, to get enough vitamin D and help the bones absorb calcium.

Foods to eat:

According to Ayurveda, people with osteoporosis should eat foods that contain calcium and other vitamins and minerals that help strengthen bones. It also advises people to eat vata-pacifying foods to treat osteoporosis.

These foods include:

- Fruits: citrus fruits like oranges and limes, apples, pears, peaches, pineapples, plums, bananas, grapes, mangoes, persimmons, papaya, and watermelons

- Vegetables: broccoli, kale, celery, spinach, onion, garlic, turnips, eggplant, melon vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, potatoes, corn, pickles, and mushrooms

- Dairy products: ghee, low-fat milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, and buttermilk

- Legumes: all fresh beans and lentils

- Grains:  whole wheat grains, oats, finger millet, and barley

- Spices: cardamom, fennel, coriander, ginger, cumin, and pepper

- Nuts: Almonds and cashew nuts

- Seeds: Sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds

- Fish

- Eggs

Herbs to use:

Ayurveda prescribes herbs that help restore balance to the vata dosha to treat osteoporosis. They are rich in minerals such as calcium, which helps increase bone mineral density and prevent bone erosion.

The following herbs are beneficial for osteoporosis:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): it helps balance the vata dosha in the body. It also helps relieve stress, which can erode bone and weaken bone density.

- Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): it helps balance vata, pitta, and kapha doshas. It protects against osteoporosis because it prevents estrogen deficiency. It also has anti-osteoporotic effects, increasing mineral deposition in bones and strengthening them.

- Triphala: an herbal mixture that helps cleanse the gut to help it absorb nutrients that strengthen bones. Amla, one herb in the mix, contains a lot of calcium.

- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): asparagus contains a lot of calcium and strengthens the bones.

- Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): an herb that is rich in calcium and can help strengthen bones.

- Horsetail (Equisetum arvense): an herb that contains a lot of minerals. It also helps maintain estrogen levels in post-menopausal women who are at risk of osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency.

- Oat straw (Avena sativa): an herb that contains a lot of calcium and beneficial minerals that protect against osteoporosis.

- Lakshadi guggul: an herbal extract made of the resin of the sacred fig tree. It increases mineral deposition in the bone and increases bone density to treat osteoporosis.

- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): an herb that contains a lot of nutrients that help build bone and maintain bone density.

- Turmeric (Haldi): an anti-inflammatory herb that helps build and repair bone and prevents osteoporosis.

- Dandelion root: an herb that increases bone density by allowing the bones to absorb calcium more effectively.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Osteoporosis: things to avoid

- Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals makes it harder to establish a routine. Skipping meals also affects digestion and might cause toxins to accumulate in the body.

- Avoid drinking coffee and tea: these drinks aggravate the vata dosha because they contain caffeine. Coffee and tea decrease the body’s ability to absorb calcium, which contributes to bone loss.

- Avoid or limit alcohol consumption: alcohol consumption disrupts the balance of the vata dosha, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. It causes the accumulation of toxins in the gut, which weakens the bones.

- Avoid soft drinks: these drinks contain a lot of sugar and aggravate the pitta dosha, which can cause toxins to accumulate in the gut and weaken bone tissue.

- Avoid salty foods: foods with excess salt disrupt the balance of the different doshas in the body. Salty foods strip bones of their calcium and make them weaker.

- Stop smoking: smoking aggravates the doshas and causes the accumulation of toxins in the body. These toxins may accumulate in the gut and erode bone, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Foods to avoid:

According to Ayurveda, all foods possess certain gunas (qualities). The gunas in the foods are transferred into energies that influence the balance of the doshas in the body.

People with osteoporosis should avoid foods that possess dry, light, hot, and bitter gunas (qualities) that might aggravate the vata dosha and weaken the bones.

These foods include:

• Vegetables: dry vegetables
• Grains: refined flour
• Beans: black gram
• Dairy: full-fat milk and cream
• Meat: avoid dry meat products 
• Spicy foods
• Sugary foods
• Salty foods
• Processed and canned foods

Ayurveda for Osteoporosis: precautions

Ayurveda uses natural and herbal remedies to treat diseases. However, if you want to use Ayurvedic medicines, herbs, supplements to treat a particular condition, you should consider the following precautions:

- Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before taking Ayurvedic products on your own. Let them know if you have diabetes or are taking medication that may affect your treatment plan. They should adjust it to avoid any harmful interactions with the medication you are taking.

- Some Ayurvedic products and practices are banned in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve or review Ayurvedic products. Some herbal compounds or preparations may contain lead, mercury, or arsenic in toxic amounts.

They can cause serious illnesses in children and may be life-threatening for pregnant or lactating women and their babies. Other compounds from untrustworthy manufacturers may contain steroids, which may cause further health issues.

- Some Panchakarma treatments aren’t suitable for all patients who have osteoporosis. Eligibility for panchakarma is determined by an Ayurvedic practitioner.

People who are classified as having “weak” or lean and thin bodies aren’t eligible for some panchakarma treatments. People who are anemic and pregnant women also aren’t allowed to undergo panchakarma treatments.

WARNING:

- Make sure to disclose to your primary care physician that you are seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner and are taking Ayurvedic formulations. This ensures you stay safe and avoid medication interactions that might cause serious side effects.

- If you are taking medication for diabetes, don’t stop taking them if you begin Ayurvedic treatment unless your doctor approves it.

- Some Ayurvedic practitioners may not be qualified to treat you. Make sure that your Ayurvedic practitioner is well-trained, certified, and has the relevant experience to meet your needs.

- Be careful when buying Ayurvedic herbs or formulas. Don’t buy Ayurvedic products unless they have a GMP (Good Manufacturing Product) stamp on them if you are buying them from India. Be extra careful when purchasing herbs online because online stores may be selling counterfeit products.

Ayurveda for Osteoporosis: side effects

Since Ayurvedic treatments are derived from natural herbs and plants, most treatments do not cause adverse events. However, if you take some Ayurvedic preparations or herbs, you may experience the following side effects.

- Some Ayurvedic products contain toxic amounts of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, or mercury, and they might cause heavy metal poisoning.

- Some Ayurvedic herbal formulations might cause headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, rashes, or allergic reactions.