Bone Up On Bone Health

Your Powerful, Dynamic Skeletal System

Evel Knievel was my hero. If you were a child of the 1970s, Evel Knievel might have been yours too.

From his leather jackets to stiff-tail motorcycles, Evel was the living embodiment of a daredevil god. He jumped his motorcycles over school buses, shark-filled pools, and the fountains at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He even tried to pilot a rocket over the Snake River Canyon. Evel was the pioneer of distance motorcycle jumping and paid the price for his daredevil trailblazing"433 broken bones during his career.

Not only did he set countless world records, he inspired thousands of us to set up boards on cinder blocks as we rode our Huffy bikes at breakneck speeds. Sometimes, I'd land my jump to the cheers of my friends. More often than not, I'd crash…to the cheers of my friends.v It wasn't until the time I tried to jump a metal garbage can that my daredevil career was put on hold. Speeding down the block, I hit the ramp, slipped off my bike, and landed with a pronounced snapping sound. The pain was intense because I had just broke both of wrists. I suffered dual Colles' fractures and spent the rest of the summer in twin casts.

Bones have an amazing ability to heal after breaking. To heal properly, the bone must be held in the correct position and protected. That's why doctors often use a cast, brace, or splint for fractures. Once it's in position, the body goes to work. A protective blood clot and callus form around the fractured area, and new bone cells start to grow on both sides to mend the break. Depending on the location of the injury, it can take six weeks to a year to be fully healed.

To help speed up the repair of a broken bone, doctors often prescribe supplements. Because bones are mostly composed of minerals, including calcium, silicon, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, it's good to have a supply of extra nutrients for your body. Here are some "Did You Know?" facts about these important minerals.

Mighty Magnesium
It might be number 12 on the periodic table, but magnesium is first for overall good health. This powerful alkaline metal is important for many processes in the body, including nerve function and blood sugar levels.

And a magnesium-rich diet can both directly and indirectly assist with bone health. People with higher intakes of magnesium also have higher bone mineral density, which is important to reduce the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Magnesium also helps to regulate the calcium and vitamin D levels in your body to assist crucial nutrient intake for your bones.

Maintaining optimal levels of magnesium in your diet can help you achieve overall good health. Naturally present in foods like Atlantic salmon, dark chocolate, and pumpkin seeds, it's easy to add magnesium to your menu.

Count on Calcium
Your skeletal system is a living organ. Old bone material is constantly being reabsorbed by your body as new bones form. It takes about 10 years for one of your bones to renew. And because your bone density is determined by the level of calcium in your bones, it's critical to have optimal levels of calcium in your system to build strong, new bone cells.

Even with 99 per cent of all calcium stored in your bones and teeth, it's also an essential mineral to help your muscles, nerves, and cells function normally. But unlike other minerals, your body cannot synthesise calcium.

All the calcium in your body comes from the foods you eat, or from supplements. Sadly, our digestive system isn't great at absorbing this much-needed mineral. On average, most people only absorb 15–20 per cent of the calcium consumed in their diet. To help your system get"and hold on to"the calcium you need, a diet rich in vitamin D can help.

Vital Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a hormone. It's a fat-soluble vitamin your body naturally produces (for free!) when your skin responds to sunlight. Vitamin D is crucial to keep your bones strong and healthy. As mentioned above, your body is ineffective at absorbing calcium to support your bones"but vitamin D is excellent when it comes to helping transport calcium to your skeletal system.

The right level of vitamin D in your diet can help with the normal growth and development of bones and teeth. And there's evidence that maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D can assist with healthy weight loss, support mental health, and bolster your natural immune response.

Make it MagneCal D
Evel Knievel's motto was simple and succinct: "I always keep my word."

Let me give you my word"taking care of your bones should be a top priority. I made the mistake of abusing my body through silly, often stupid activities and have paid price.

I don't plan on breaking any bones in the near future, but I do want to support the structure that supports me. That's why I've been taking this super bone-supporting, scientifically formulated supplement. The secret to MagneCal D is equal amounts of magnesium and calcium with advanced levels of vitamin D. And the benefits are more than for my bones and teeth.

MagneCal D also supports my muscles, provides normal healthy energy metabolism, and assists with other key health functions. And as an active ex athlete who is knocking on middle age, it has the nutrients my bones need to keep up with my next adventure.

With MagneCal D, the name says it all: magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D. I don't recommend gymnastic soccer moves, but I do suggest adding a calcium supplement to your daily regimen"especially if you're trying to keep up with your young ones as they're giving it all on the soccer pitch.

Ben Raskin is a writer and cyclist living in Salt Lake City, Utah. He enjoys spending time with his family and woodworking. Follow him on Instagram @USANABen.

*This medicine may not be right for you. Read the label before purchase. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, worsen, or change unexpectedly, talk to your health professional.