*COMMON Qs ON BONE HEALTH* Bones are not just for structure. White and red blood cells, besides stem cells, are also housed in bones. If bones are weak, so is the body’s ability to form these crucial blood cells. *What Are Bones Made Of?* - A good nunber of people believe bones are made up of calcium only. Whilst bones have calcium, they are also made up of boron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and a host of other minerals, many of which are present in greens. - In addition, the protein collagen and calcium phosphate offer significant constituent parts of bones. *So What Promotes Strong Bones?* - Collagen intake - beef, pork, bone soup, chicken skin and fish are good sources. - *Mark this*: Vitamin C foods boost absorption of collagen in a big way. So citrus fruits, baobab powder, chili peppers, kiwi fruit, etc. - Vitamins K1 and K2. More on that shortly. - Green leafy vegetables -very important as they’re also rich in bone-forming minerals named above. - Foods rich in calcium and zinc such as green leafy vegetables, nuts and pumpkin seeds. - Importantly….Vitamin D (e.g from sunshine, eggs and supplements) is needed to form calcium. This vitamin enhances the process of bone formation. In fact, rickets in kids is often cured by prolonged direct sun exposure. - And what’s needed to form Vitamin D? Step forward magnesium. If one is short of magnesium, the body will struggle to form calcium. - It then follows that if one wants strong bones, they must enrich their diet with magnesium and vitamin D.