For bone health and to prevent and counteract osteoporosis, a help from ginseng! In fact, this plant that is well known and appreciated above all for its ability to tone the body and mind actually also has an important beneficial action on the bones! This emerges from a very recent scientific research that appeared a few days ago in the Nutrients magazine thanks to the work of a Korean team (Jung et al, Nutrients, 2021).
The problem of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects our bones and is caused by an imbalance between the processes of formation of bone tissue and the processes of resorption of this tissue. Osteoporosis progresses with age and can worsen especially in menopausal women, bringing with it an increased risk of bone fragility. To date, the causes of osteoporosis are not clearly known, although a role is recognized in the reduction of estrogen, calcium or vitamin D. Supplements and diet can help prevent osteoporosis, but when there is already a reduction in density bone what can be done? A help seems to come from ginseng.
Ginseng, properties
Ginseng is a remedy known all over the world and highly appreciated for its beneficial properties. Ginseng, in fact, thanks to its content in ginsenosides, phenolic compounds and peptides, is anti-tumor, protective for the respiratory tract, capable of improving blood circulation, strengthening the body in case of stress and fatigue and improving cognitive function. Not only that, early-stage studies have made it possible to observe the ability of ginseng to act on bone metabolism and thus counteract osteoporosis. Therefore, the scientists of the research we are talking about today have developed a study precisely in order to understand the action of ginseng on bones.
Ginseng protects bones, the experiment
The researchers recruited 90 women, all over 40 years of age and with reduced bone density. The women were divided into three groups. The first group was asked to take a supplement containing 1 gram per day of ginseng extracts for 3 months. The second group was asked to take a supplement containing 3 grams per day of ginseng extracts for 3 months, while the third group took a placebo. At the end of the 3 months, the volunteers were subjected to tests and analyzes to evaluate the effect of ginseng. What emerged was that women who took 3 g of ginseng extracts per day had a significant increase in bone formation indices, including circulating calcium levels. In these cases, a reduction in the relationship between bone resorption and bone formation was also observed, indicating that ginseng was able to restore balance in bone metabolism. Finally, an improvement in pain and stiffness of the joints caused by the condition of osteopenia, or reduction in bone density, was also observed at the end of the 12 weeks.
Conclusions
The research has made it possible to demonstrate that ginseng acts by protecting the bones, even in the case of a reduction in bone density already present. However, this action was found only in the case of a high dosage of the remedy. The study found no side effects following the intake of ginseng, in any case before each treatment, it is always good to ask your doctor for advice, also given the possible interaction between the remedy and some anticoagulant and anxiolytic drugs.
