Biological Therapy of Osteoporosis

©Copyright 2002 by Werner Kleiner, Germany
(Explore Issue: Volume 11, Number 6)

Summary

The adult human body contains ca. 1200 grams (42 oz.) of Calcium, of which 99% is bound up in the bone, which serve as supporting tissue and as calcium and phosphate reservoirs. These reservoirs are in equilibrium with the extracellular fluid. This equilibrium is regulated by parathyroid hormone and thyrocalcitonin, as well as vitamins D and E and estrogen. Physiological calcium plasma concentration is 2.4 mmol/liter, of which ca. 47% is ionized, 39% is bound to proteins and the remainder is present as citrate or phosphate complex. Calcium is excreted primarily via the kidneys.

Calcium's tasks are many and varied:

• Building osseous tissue and teeth
• Blood clotting factor
• Muscle and nerve stimulation
• Involved in cell wall formation and mitosis
• Hormone production and Enzyme activation

The bone cell matrix is formed primarily of collagen, in which the osseous min-eral hydroxyl apatite – Cal0 (PO4) 6(OH)2 – is embedded; in addition, the inorganic portion contains ca. 6% carbonate, 0.7% each of sodium and magnesium, as well as traces of fluorine. The mass ratio of matrix to mineral is 30–70%. Various organs make important contributions to bone metabolism.

General Information about Calcium

Calcium is one of the alkaline earth metals and is a structural component of the earth's crust, making it – after iron and aluminum – the third most abundant metal. The most important calcium-containing minerals are gypsum, anhydrite, chalk, apatite and dolomite.All organisms, whether plant, animal or man, need calcium. Calcium winds up in our drinking water, as hydrogen carbonate or sulfate, from weathering of chalk and other minerals and rainwater, creating – along with other alkaline earth metals – "hard water". Boiling hard water leads to scale deposits, which consist mostly of calcium and magnesium carbonate. Besides milk and dairy products, drinking water is the most important calcium-containing dietary component.

Organ		Function
Intestines		Resorption of Ca2+ and PO43- from food
Liver		Biosynthesis of Vitamin-D precursor
Kidney		Production of Vitamin D Calcium elimination
Bones		Storage and retrieval of Calcium Blood formation
Thyroid		Production of calcitonin
Parathyroid		Production of parathyroid hormone

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a reduction in osseous tissue with unchanged skeletal structure.Two distinct forms are recognized:

• Primary osteoporosis – Here, the regulatory mechanism between the plasma calcium level and parathyroid hormone secretion is disturbed; generally, the entire skeleton is affected. The juvenile form occurs during pregnancy; the senile form appears during menopause (involution osteoporosis).
  
• Secondary osteoporosis – It usually starts in the central skeleton and proceeds centrifugally. There are a number of possible triggers: inactivity, e.g. due to paralysis or immobilization, malnutrition (malabsorption, alcoholism), hyperthyroidism, long-term cortisone therapy. Bone density and strength are highest between the ages of 25 and 35: bone buildup and breakdown are roughly in equilibrium, but buildup predominates during the growing years, breakdown after the age of 35 – if the dietary supply and enteric resorption, or hormonal regulation, is inadequate. In advanced age, furthermore, the food's calcium supply can no longer be utilized fully, while decreasing physical activity and diminished exposure to fresh air (and sunlight!) accelerate bone breakdown.

Osteoporosis is relatively widespread: ca. 30% of post-menopausal women suffer from bone loss, which can lead to increased fragility, especially of the neck of the femur. Vertebrae and wrists are also affected. Post-menopausal estrogen deficiency is responsible for this. The adult daily requirement is ca. 1 gram (25 mmol) of calcium; during pregnancy and while nursing, the requirement goes up 50%. Our calcium needs cannot always be satisfied from diet alone, even a balanced diet.

Causal Biological Therapy of Osteoporosis

The smooth functioning of the organs involved in osseous metabolism, as well as of the endocrine and vascular systems, depends on cell membranes being in good shape. Damaged membranes diminish the function of the affected cells, which can lead to the loss of important cellular contents.

The most important starting substance for buildup and preservation of cell membranes is colamine. If biosynthesis of colamine is no longer sufficient to meet current needs, then the functions of the organs involved in osseous metabolism, of the endocrine and vascular systems, can no longer be guaranteed, and the calcium requirement can increase. Therefore, for all forms of osteoporosis, one should think in terms of treating the cause. Causal therapy of osteoporosis thus consists of the simultaneous supply of calcium and colamine. This double substitution can be made with a single preparation: PEACA® (Calcium-EAP®), available from Koehler Co. USA, the only original Calcium EAP in the U.S.– imported directly from the German manufacturer; and contains calcium bound to ethylamine phosphate (colamine phosphate).

Indications for PEACA®: Osteoporosis, allergies, inflammatory dermatoses, nerve-conduction disorders, adjuvant for multiple sclerosis. Contraindications: digitalis overdose, severe kidney function disorders, hypercalcemia. Dosage: 2 coated tablets 1–3 times daily for 2 weeks, then continue with 2 tablets daily as a supplement.

You may contact the author at:
Werner Kleiner, Heilpraktiker
Am Dachsbau 3, 49377 Vechta, Germany

References

1. Pschyrembel, Klinisches Wörterbuch [Clinical Dictionary], Verlag de Gruyter
2. Löffler-Petrides, Physiologische Chemie [Physiological Chemistry], Springer-Verlag
3. Römpp, Chemie Lexikon [Chemistry Lexicon],Thieme-Verlag
4. Rilling, S., Kompendium der Mineralstoffe und Spurenelemente [Compendium of Mineral Sub- stances and Trace Elements], Haug Verlag
5. Silbernagel-Despopoulos, Taschenatlas der Physiologie
   [Pocket Atlas of Physiology], Thieme-Verlag

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