Sleep and bone health

The growth hormone secreted during sleep affects bone growth and repair.

Sleep is necessary to maintain physical and mental health. If you do not get enough sleep, both in quality and quantity, you will experience various problems, such as feeling unrefreshed, lacking attention, and sluggish. But that’s not all. Sleep and bone health have a critical relation.
During sleep, our body secretes various hormones.
Growth hormone promotes growth in the body and acts directly on the bones to make them grow stronger. They say that “a child who sleeps will grow.” Good sleeping will secrete growth hormones well and develop children’s bones thicker and bigger.

Deep sleep is the key to growth hormone secretion and bone health

Sleep occurs because the brain, being active during the day, gets tired and rests. Seeing, speaking, thinking, and moving your limbs are all controlled by your brain. The brain, which operates at total capacity during the day, consumes energy the more it is used and needs sleep to rest. Sleeping helps your brain recover from fatigue, allowing you to work harder the next day.

On the other hand, there is a phenomenon in which people naturally become sleepy at night, even when they are not so tired. The reason is that your body clock tells you it is time to sleep because it is night. In our body, two types of autonomic nerves, the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve regulate various body functions. The sympathetic nervous system works during the day to increase body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, etc., making it easier to be active. At night, the parasympathetic nervous system lowers these to relax and rest the body. The body clock regulates such body rhythms. When you wake up in the morning, you will reset your body clock to occur the next sleepiness 14 to 16 hours later.

During sleep, deep sleep (non-REM sleep) for resting the brain and light sleep (REM sleep) to rest your muscles alternate. In good sleep, non-REM sleep, which is deep sleep, accounts for 70 to 80% and appears in the first half of sleep. Your body will secrete a large amount of growth hormone at this time. Thus it is crucial to take a good deep sleep for bone health.

Natural and safe supplements will support your bone health additionally.

Juveriente’s Bone Strength Complex will provide you vital vitamin set for bone health while it also helps your bone health from the cellular level. (Learn about it more here.)

 

 

 

Exercise for your bone health!

Build strength and balance with your bones.

When you put a moderate load (pressure) on your bones through exercise, the cells that form the bones are activated. It makes it easier for calcium to deposit in the bones. On the other hand, if the state of lack of exercise continues, calcium will be easier to dissolve from the bones to make them weaker. Do exercise for your bone health!

Recommended exercises: walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, tennis, table tennis, gateball and gymnastics. 

In addition, exercise also strengthens muscles and balance and prevents falls and fractures. A moderate exercise habit is essential to prevent osteoporosis.

Start from walking

When people who don’t exercise regularly or older people suddenly start vigorous exercise, there is a risk of injury or accidents. Moderate exercise is an effective way to prevent osteoporosis and maintain good health. Never overdo it.
Walking is a simple and safe exercise. Aim to walk 1,000 more steps a day than you do now. Exercise for your bone health is easy by starting from such a light one. 

Can you get exercise from doing housework for your bone health?

Exercise habits are the habits of moving your body. You can expect great results from your daily housework. Cleaning, washing clothes, putting up and taking down bedding, shopping, etc., are excellent exercises. They put a moderate load on your bones. If you can strengthen your bones by doing daily housework, you can kill two birds with one stone.

Natural and safe supplements will support your bone health additionally.

Juveriente’s Bone Strength Complex will provide you vital vitamin set for bone health while it also helps your bone health from the cellular level. (Learn about it more here.)

 

Here comes the sun, Vitamin D!

An essential nutrient to maintain healthy bones

We can’t produce most of the so-called “vitamins” such as vitamins A and C in our bodies. So we must take them from external sources such as meals.
We take vitamin D from foods, too. For example, from fish, egg yolks, and mushrooms such as dried shiitake and cloud ear mushrooms.
However, we can also produce it in our bodies when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin.” Here comes the sun, Vitamin D!
The intaken and produced Vitamin D is metabolized in the liver and kidneys and converted to the active form of vitamin D, which exerts its effects.

Health benefits

Its effect is calcium metabolism and action on bone. Active vitamin D helps absorb calcium, which is a material for bones, and when calcium intake is insufficient, it works to reabsorb calcium from urine. It also regulates calcium deposition in bones and promotes bone formation. Calcium comes first when we think of nutrients essential for bone health. But calcium is used efficiently with the help of vitamin D.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in other benefits, such as preventing flu by increasing immunity, preventing falls, strengthening muscles, and preventing cancer and allergic diseases like hay fever.

You need sunbathing

Vitamin D is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight
Subcutaneous fat under our skin contains a type of cholesterol, which is the source of vitamin D. When this cholesterol is exposed to UV light, a chemical reaction occurs to produce vitamin D.
Prolonged vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets (osteomalacia in adults). It’s a condition in which the bones become soft due to a lack of calcium, which constitutes the bones. We used to think of it as a disease in the past, but rickets has become a problem in recent years due to malnutrition and lack of sun exposure in some infants.
The negative aspects of ultraviolet rays, such as skin troubles like spots, wrinkles, and skin cancer, are often emphasized too much, but sunbathing is essential to maintain strong bones.

Let’s take sunbathing and increase your vitamin D

Like calcium, vitamin D is a nutrient that tends to be deficient. Especially in the elderly, the ability to create and activate vitamin D in the skin tends to decline. Changes in her lifestyle, such as eating less food, going out less often, and getting less exposure to the sun, can also make her vitamin D deficient.
Also, even if you are young, people who always wear sunscreen, hats, parasols, etc., should take precautions against UV rays. The amount of vitamin D produced in the skin through exposure to sunlight is greater than the amount obtained through food intake. So, a lifestyle that avoids exposure to ultraviolet rays to the extreme can lead to vitamin D deficiency.

To supplement vitamin D, try to spend about 1 hour in winter and 30 minutes in the shade of a tree in summer. When you sunbathe, your brain will secrete a substance called “serotonin.” It will provide you stress relief, concentration improvement, and brighter feeling. Stay active in the sun to keep your bones healthy.
Here comes the sun, Vitamin D!!

You can also take vitamin D through supplements.

Juveriente’s Bone Strength Complex will provide you vitamin D among its vitamin set for bone health while it also helps your bone health from the cellular level. (Learn about it more here.)

 

Phosphoric acid and bone health

Phosphorus is vital for your health

Phosphoric acid and bone health have a close link. Phosphorus is an element that plays a vital role in the body. Phosphorus exists as kinds of phosphate, which is phosphoric acid salt.
Almost all phosphorus in the body combines with oxygen to form phosphate. Phosphorus is one of the body’s electrolytes, a mineral that becomes charged when dissolved in fluids such as blood, but most phosphorus in the body is uncharged.

Phosphoric acid and bone health

Bones contain about 85% of the phosphorus in the body. The rest are mainly inside the cell and are involved in energy production. Phosphorus is an essential substance for the formation of bones and teeth. It is also a building block of several vital substances, such as the substances cells use to make energy, cell membranes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

Foods to contain phosphorous

Phosphorus is obtained from food and excreted in the urine and sometimes in the stool. How much is excreted in the stool depends on how much you absorb from foods. In this talk about the phosphoric acid and bone health, you will like to know what food contains it richly. They are milk, egg yolks, chocolate, and soft drinks.

Hypophosphatemia

A condition in which the concentration of phosphorus in the blood is deficient.
Phosphorus is one of the body’s electrolytes, a mineral that becomes charged when dissolved in fluids such as blood while most phosphorus in the body is uncharged.

Hypophosphatemia may be acute or chronic.

acute hypophosphatemia

In acute hypophosphatemia, the phosphorus level in the blood suddenly drops to dangerous levels. Acute hypophosphatemia can develop in people who are recovering from conditions such as

Severe undernutrition (such as starvation)
diabetic ketoacidosis
severe alcoholism
severe burns
A sudden drop in phosphorus levels can lead to arrhythmias and death.

chronic hypophosphatemia

In chronic hypophosphatemia, her phosphorus levels in the blood decrease over time. Chronic hypophosphatemia usually results from excessive phosphate excretion. Causes include:

hyperparathyroidism
chronic diarrhea
Long-term use of diuretics
Long-term use of large doses of aluminum antacids
Use of high doses of theophylline (used to treat asthma)

Take Phosphorous from Juveriente® Bone Strength Complex!

You can also take care of phosphoric acid and bone health through supplements.  Juveriente’s Bone Strength Complex will provide you phosphorous in shape of Tricalcium Phosphate among its vitamin set for bone health while it also helps your bone health from the cellular level. (Learn about it more here.)

Vitamin D deficiency and bone density

Middle-aged and older women are more likely to develop osteoporosis due to a rapid bone density decline in female hormones. And even the younger generation tends to have less bone density buffer due to lifestyle changes. Here I like to talk about the vitamin D deficiency and bone density.

Bones not only support the body but are also closely related to the functions of internal organs, such as the flexibility of blood vessels, the ability to lower blood sugar, and the work of the kidneys. From the beauty viewpoint, the bones in the face decrease, and it causes “sagging and wrinkles” and affects the “appearance impression.” Keeping your bones healthy is good for your body and appearance.

Calcium has a strong image of nutrients that are good for bones, but I recommend (1) vitamin D, (2) calcium, and (3) vitamin K in that order. Vitamin D deficiency and bone density have a strong relation. Calcium cannot be absorbed sufficiently into the bones with low vitamin D.

What foods contain vitamin D? Rich in fish and mushrooms. Cloud ear mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, and sun-dried shiitake mushrooms contain it richly. However, eating fish is overwhelmingly efficient. You should eat one piece of fish a day. It also helps prevent arteriosclerosis.

Vitamin D strengthens the bones and the immune system, strengthening muscles and preventing falls. I continue to take vitamin D and live with an awareness of “bone activity” and “immunity enhancement.”

I often make steamed salmon and mushrooms in foil. Sprinkle some soy sauce and sake on the raw salmon, put your favorite mushrooms and butter on top, cover with foil, and steam in a walnut frying pan for about 15 minutes. Add ponzu sauce if you like. It’s so easy and helpful!

You can also take vitamin D through supplements. Juveriente’s Bone Strength Complex will provide you vitamin D among its vitamin set for bone health while it also helps your bone health from the cellular level. (Learn about it more here.)

 

How to make exercise a habit?

Exercise is one of the keys to a healthy life for all ages

Here are three easy how to keep up doing some exercise. 

 

Add 10 minutes of a simple action.

How to make exercise a habit? Don’t think too complicated.

Let’s incorporate moving the body for “10 minutes” naturally during breaks between work and spending time at home. Start from where you can!

1. Walk, bike, or use public transportation to commute.

2. Take a walk during breaks at work or house works.

3. Perform a YouTube workout program.  (The linked video is just an example.)

4. Intentionally add exercise or increase moves in house works.

Just increase “moves” in your life.

When you be seated all day long for your job or any other reason, you may think it’s impossible to do exercise. 

If you are busy with work and can’t find time to exercise, let’s focus on “moving your body anyway.” 

Intentionally avoid sitting for a long time, stand up once every 30 minutes, stretch your body, stand up and walk to get something, and be conscious of moving.

Walking

Walking will be one of the good options when you think about how to make exercise a habit. It’s not hard to start and gives you a lot of benefits.

Fat reduction will eliminate fat, and improving metabolism will improve blood lipids, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It also has the effect of maintaining and enhancing cardiopulmonary function. Moderate intensity of workouts (Fast walking with solid kicks and long strides that make you sweat a little, something breathtaking enough to hold a conversation, etc.) is optimal to improve life expectancy. 

Recent studies have reported the relationship between the number of steps taken per day and the number of diseases and conditions it may prevent. Eight thousand steps, including 20 minutes of moderate-intensity walking, is the appropriate amount of physical activity.

What is the best way to improve your bone health?

Bone density decreases with age. When bone density decreases, the bones become fragile, and without knowing it, it may lead to the breakage of the back and hips. In addition, even a slight fall can easily lead to fractures. It is so-called osteoporosis.
It is essential to increase bone density to stay healthy for a long time. But what is the bestway to improve your bone health?

Exercise, sleep, and nutrition are vital in building strong bones. This time, Here are the ways how to make strong bones below.

Exercise for bones

Bone stimulation increases bone density. It would be best if you also had muscle strength to keep your bones strong. Move your body with moderate exercise such as walking, running, and lightweight training to stimulate your bones.

[e.g., One-legged gymnastics]
Putting a load on the base of the foot will strengthen the bones. It will also improve the muscle strength and balance of the lower body.
Do it next to a desk that you can easily reach.

■ Gymnastics
Lift one leg 5-10 cm off the floor and hold for 1 minute. Do the same with the opposite leg.
■ How much should I do it?
1 set for left and right, 1 to 3 sets per day

Sleeping will grow bones

 

Again, what is the best way to improve your bone health?

If you sleep too little or too lightly, your body will not produce growth hormones, which affects bone growth and repair. Get plenty of sunshine during the day, stay active, and try to get a good night’s sleep.

Nutrition for strong bones

Eating a well-balanced diet every day is the basis of good health. Let’s be conscious of adequate nutrients to promote bone metabolism. It will make your bone strong and durable.

■ Calcium
Necessary for bone and tooth formation and muscle contraction. Milk and dairy products contain a lot of and have a high absorption rate. Soybean products and small fish are rich in calcium.
■Vitamin D
It helps absorb calcium and strengthen bones—Salmon, mushrooms, etc. Moderate sunbathing is also effective for its production in the body.
■ Protein
Collagen material enhances bone quality. It is also essential for building muscles that prevent fractures—Meat, fish, eggs, soy products, etc.
■Vitamin K
It activates proteins and works directly on bones to improve bone quality. Abundant in natto (fermented soybean), green and yellow vegetables, eggs, etc.

A natural bone supplement

Juveriente®’s natural bone supplement, “Bone Strength Complex” may be the new best supplement for elderly. Since its launching in 2016, it has gathered positive feedbacks as the following.

Mandarin OrangeI have been taking Juveriente Bone Strength Complex for two years. I was waiting for my bone density test this year to write a review. My bone density test results improved. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis two years ago. The prescription medications for Osteoporosis have too many side affects and I was looking for a good alternative. I am proud to report this product works and has no side affects. The gel capsules are easy to swallow.” (Nov. 17th 2022, a product review for our Amazon shop)

The main functional ingredient is simply an extract of a Japanese popular citrus fruit. Needless to say, it is better to try a natural food before jumping to strong medicines. Please learn details in our product page.

LEARN MORE BSC

 

Healthy diet for your skin beauty

There are probably more than a few people who have had the experience of having trouble applying makeup when their stomach is not feeling well after a series of events or having breakouts from eating junk food too frequently.
Healthy dietary habit is the base of your beautiful skin. Here we introduce you the good habits for your skin health.

Dietary habits that may cause rough skin

Overeating

Many people will eat more than before, such as picking snacks to relieve stress and having food within reach when working remotely. Overeating strains the stomach and intestines, contributing to dull skin and poor complexion.

Imbalanced diet

There may be a case that the menu was unexpectedly only carbohydrates eventually while you think you are healthy because you cook for yourself. Continuing meals mainly with carbohydrates causes a lack of protein and minerals, making it challenging to create healthy skin.

Lack of water

If you have fewer opportunities to go out and live a less active life, you will be less likely to get thirsty. Water in the body carries oxygen and nutrients and collects waste products through blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.

What are the dietary habits that prevent rough skin?

Breakfast

First and foremost, don’t skip breakfast. However, preparing a nutritionally balanced meal every morning is challenging. Also, some people may not be hungry when they wake up. A glass of milk and a banana is OK for such a person. Putting something in your mouth will turn on your sympathetic switch, and the autonomic nerves are easier to prepare, helping to bring the turnover closer to normal.

Lunch/Dinner

Ensure you have a well-balanced intake of the three major nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), vitamins, and minerals. Suppose you imagine a set meal format with staple foods such as bread and noodles, main dishes such as meat, fish, eggs, and side dishes such as vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms. In that case, it will be easier to maintain a nutritional balance.

We also recommend serving it with hot soup. If you make soup with lots of ingredients, such as vegetables and mushrooms, and eat it at the beginning of your meal, dietary fiber will prevent a spike in blood sugar levels. Also, taking fermented foods will improve the intestinal environment; I mean Japanese Miso soup for the latter.

Furthermore, for beautiful skin, the following nutrients should be proactively taken so as not to be deficient.

Nutrients and foods you need to eat consciously

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 keeps skin healthy and supports turnover. Foods rich in vitamin B2 include dairy milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, almonds, spinach, etc.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 prevents dermatitis and controls sebum. Pork, milk, salmon, beans, eggs, etc. contain a lot of it, but since pork has a lot of fat, it may be better to remove it.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen. Vegetables rich in vitamin C include paprika and broccoli. However, it is soluble in water and sensitive to heat, so it’s better to take it from cabbage that can be eaten raw, kiwifruit, strawberries, navel, and other fruits.

Potassium

Avocados, potatoes (taro, sweet potato, potatoes, etc.), almonds, peanuts, and spinach are rich in potassium, which helps cell metabolism and promotes skin regeneration.

Calcium

Calcium brings turnover closer to normal and is essential for smooth and transparent skin. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, small fish that are eatable to its bones, etc., contain large amounts.

Is it possible to use supplements? How to drink effectively

For minerals that tend to be deficient in food alone, you may want to consider using supplements.

For example, iron and zinc are essential minerals for maintaining healthy skin and promoting recovery from skin problems. In addition, as widely known, women are more prone to iron deficiency than men, primarily because of menstruation.

You will need to follow the prescribed amount of supplements and how to take them. It will be crucial to continue it for a certain period steadily. If you drink a lot of it at once because you’re concerned about skin problems, or if you stop drinking as soon as you see improvement, it won’t work well in your body.

In addition, vitamins and minerals work together, not independently. Remember that taking a specific supplement won’t make your skin look better. Please use it with the awareness of supplementing what is difficult to take from meals.

Restricted eating lengthens your life?

Japanese health wisdom: Restricted Eating by 20%

The idiom “Hara-Hachibunme” in Japan means “80% full” as a healthy eating habit. They say You don’t need a doctor if you keep “Hara-Hachibunme.” A similar saying in English will be, “Light suppers make long life.”
Since the 1980s, many countries have been scientifically investigating why “Hara-Hachibunme” is good for your health. This study compares the life expectancy of small animals such as rats between a group that eats a limited amount of food and a group that eats as much as it pleases.
For example, in one study conducted in Japan, the average lifespan of mice fed all-you-can-eat was 74 weeks, while that of mice restricted to 80% of their diet was 122 weeks, more than 1.6 times longer. (*1).

(*1) Research by Professor Kazuo Hashimoto and Lecturer Masayoshi Tazume of Tokai University School of Medicine, published in 1990. The study also points out that calorie restriction boosts immunity.

Slowed Cellular Aging

Since then, various studies have confirmed that the “Hara-Hachibunme,” constant restricted eating, can slow cellular aging. They point out that 80% of the stomach is effective in preventing cancer caused by dysfunction of cells, vascular disorders caused by arteriosclerosis (high blood pressure, stroke, myocardial infarction, etc.), and many lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.
An American study on monkeys, which are more similar to humans, reported that a 30% calorie restriction (at the 7th minute of the abdomen) improved body fat, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, triglyceride levels, etc.

The same benefit for human

So, does the benefit of “Hara-Hachibunme” apply to humans? There is an interesting report about this.
Since 1991, in the United States, a survival experiment has been carried out in which eight researchers live a self-sufficient life in a dome called Biosphere 2. Initially, it was an investigation related to space development, premised on living in an artificial environment called a dome when humans migrate to a planet other than Earth.
This experiment failed in its original purpose, but on the other hand, there was an unexpected by-product, regarding restricted eating.
The low harvesting yield in the dome limited the researchers’ diet by 25% less than their planned meals. The daily energy intake was about 1800kcal. As a result, not only did they lose weight, but almost all values ​​related to lifestyle-related diseases, such as blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, also decreased.

Restricted eating extend your life expectancy as well as your healthy life expectancy.

In this way, they found from monkey studies and reports in Biosphere 2 that “Hara-Hachibunme” (restricted eating) may extend not only life expectancy but also healthy life expectancy (healthy period without disease). (*2).

(*2) Professor Emeritus Roy Walford of the University of California, who participated in the Biosphere 2 project, later focused on the relationship between calorie restriction and health and proposed a diet menu that would prevent malnutrition even with calorie restriction, etc.

(from https://www.healthcare.omron.co.jp/resource/column/life/35.html)

Preventing falls at home

A fall that may only cause bruises or scrapes in a young person can significantly impact an older person’s life. In addition, fractures due to falls are likely to lead to bedridden, and women prone to osteoporosis have an increased risk of fractures. Preventing falls at home is critical and it requires your cautions.

Falls at home often lead to becoming bedridden.

Elderly people and households with elderly people must be careful about “falling.” You may take tripping and falling at home too lightly as a common accident, but as you get older, your physical function declines, and your muscles weaken. Compared to when they were young, they are less able to move their bodies, and it is not uncommon for them to become more prone to stumble over only small steps or to become bedridden after a fall. Even a minor fall can lead to the need for nursing care.

Fractures can lead to bedridden or requiring nursing care…

Injuries and bruises aren’t the only consequences of a fall. As you get older, the risk of fractures from falls increases. Above all, attention is necessary for “femoral neck fracture,” which is likely to occur due to falls.
A femoral neck fracture happens near the hip joint (groin). Even a minor fall, such as missing a step on the stairs at home, can result in a broken bone. Surgery and long periods of bed rest may be sometimes necessary, and the muscles may become weak and bedridden.
As a result, the muscles of the legs and lower back become weak, and even after the fracture has healed, walking becomes difficult, and in many cases, it requires nursing care.

Note that osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures.

Muscle weakness is one of the reasons why older adults are more likely to fall.
The prevalence of osteoporosis, which reduces the strength of bones, increases with age, and falls make fractures more likely. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, and its prevalence is about three times higher than in men. Falls are likely to occur in familiar places such as living rooms and bedrooms, so it is necessary to take adequate measures to mitigate the impact of osteoporosis.

Do you like the article? Share your knowledge with others.