Bone Shield 60 Capsules

Bone Shield from Douglas Laboratories is a

dietary supplement with highly absorbable calcium,

vitamin D, ipriflavone, and soy isoflavones that

provides outstanding nutritional support for bone

structure and function.

The adult human body contains approximately 1,200 g of

calcium, about 99% of which is present in the skeleton.

Bone is constantly turning over, a continuous process of

formation and resorption. In children and adolescents, the

rate of formation of bone mineral predominates over the

rate of resorption. Once one reaches peak bone mass,

sometime between the age of 20 and 30, bone formation

slows down and bone resorption begins to prevail over

bone formation, beginning the cycle of progressive, ageassociated

bone demineralization. Therefore, in normal

aging, there is a gradual loss of bone.

The condition of reduced bone mineral density can

increase risk of fractures and affects a large proportion of

the elderly in developed countries. Caucasian and Asian

women typically have low peak bone densities, and

therefore, are at the greatest risk of fractures in later life. It

is generally accepted that obtaining enough dietary calcium

throughout life can significantly decrease the risk of

fractures due to reduced bone density. Among other

factors, such as regular exercise, gender and race, calcium

supplementation during childhood and adolescence

appears to be a prerequisite for maintaining adequate bone

density later in life. But even the elderly can benefit

significantly from supplementation with dietary calcium.

In women, bone loss is generally accelerated following

menopause. The decline in estrogen levels associated with

menopause appears to put women at increased risk for

declining bone density and associated fractures. Ipriflavone,

derived from naturally occurring isoflavones, promotes bone

density by inhibiting bone resorption. Numerous studies of

postmenopausal women and individuals whose bones are

showing signs of demineralization have investigated the

benefits of ipriflavone on bone health. Laboratory and

clinical studies have documented ipriflavone’s positive effect on bone density.

Experts agree that ipriflavone appears to directly inhibit

osteoclast activity, thereby decreasing bone resorption.

Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are two primary types of bone

cells. Osteoblasts, the more exterior cells, are responsible

for bone mineralization. Osteoclasts, found beneath the

osteoblasts, are responsible for bone resorption. When

calcium levels in the blood drop, the osteoblasts change

shape, allowing the osteoclasts to become exposed and

release calcium from the bones to the rest of the body.

Scientists suspect ipriflavone may also stimulate osteoblast

activity. Since osteoblasts are responsible for laying down

new bone, an increase in osteoblast activity would result in

increased bone mineralization. This suggests ipriflavone

may not only inhibit the breakdown of existing bone, but

also encourage the formation of new bone.

In addition, Bone Shield contains Novasoy?, a soy

isoflavone concentrate. Isoflavones from soy, including

genistein and daidzein are a class of phytoestrogens, plantderived

compounds that are similar in structure and/or

function to animal estrogens. Epidemiological studies

have found that individuals with high soy intakes often

enjoy certain health advantages. Numerous laboratory and

clinical studies, investigating the health benefits of soy

products, have identified soy isoflavones as key

components responsible for the health benefits associated

with soy foods. Isoflavones have both weak estrogenic and

anti-estrogenic activity, which may contribute to their

ability to moderate menopausal symptoms and support

maintenance of bone mineral density. Isoflavones also help

protect the cardiovascular system, support the immune

system, inhibit angiogenesis, and protect against oxidative

damage as antioxidants.

Supplement Facts