Physiotherapists at the Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, asked children with an average age of 14 to perform a ten minute warm up of star jumps, side lunges and skipping twice a week before their PE sessions. At the start of the eight month study the children could only manage around 50 jumps but by the end they could do 300 and their bone and muscle strength had improved significantly as a result.

Approximately 80 percent of bone mass is accrued in the first 20 years of life and especially around puberty because of circulating hormones so, according to this new study, children should be encouraged to jump and skip as often as possible to boost the health of their bones.

Taken as supplements, certain trace elements can promote bone formation and help to prevent osteoporosis. Some people get enough trace elements in their diets but for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, supplements can be helpful.

Research has shown that boron, found in food such as apples, broccoli, grapes, legumes, nuts and pears is important for calcium metabolism. In addition, it has proven to be an effective mineral for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis because of its ability to activate important vitamins and minerals in the body.

A zinc deficiency is associated with decreases in bone density. That is why it is important to maintain adequate levels of zinc in your diet to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis. Foods rich in zinc include Brazil nuts, oats, peanuts, pumpkins seeds and rye.  (The OsteoPlus supplement are use in the clinic contains both zinc and boron as well as the other important bone nutrients calcium, magnesium and vitamin D – see the Resources Page.)

Oat straw also known as avena sativa or green oat is a pale green grass cultivated for its edible grain. The parts that are used are the seeds and the stem. It has been used for centuries in teas, tinctures and herbal medicines, and has shown promise in treating and preventing a wide variety of health conditions.

Oat straw has been shown to boost immunity, build bones and prevent osteoporosis. It is also effective as a pain reliever and for easing anxiety and depression but one of the most popular applications for oat straw however is in sexual enhancement supplements, as although it is not an aphrodisiac it can help prolong sexual performance and stamina, hence the term ‘sowing your oats.’ In men it appears to be effective for treating impotence and premature ejaculation. In women it may increase sexual desire.

Wild oats are reported to have been a noticeable sexual stimulant for horses and other animals, and studies suggest they can have the same effect on humans of both sexes. References to the stimulating effects of avena sativa have been found for hundreds of years in the German Pharmacopoeia and recent studies have confirmed that it can enhance libido by reducing stress and easing the mind, much like ginkgo and damiana.

 

Avena sativa is rich in body-building and energy boosting nutrients including silicon, manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A, B1, B2 and E and is great for building healthy bones, skin, hair and nails. The seeds are not only a rich source of carbohydrate and soluble fibre they also have the highest content of iron, zinc and manganese of any grain. In addition they contain compounds which are both sedative and soothing to the brain and nervous system.

 

In cases of sexual problems related to stress and anxiety, Avena sativa and its compounds work as nervine relaxants to ease tension and strengthen and support the nervous system and as a tonic to promote energy to handle stress. Oat straw can also be used in baths for rheumatic problems, lumbago, liver ailments and gout.  It can soften the skin and help eczema and other skin diseases, flaky skin, frostbite, chilblains, wounds, and eye problems.

Avena sativa does not appear to interact with drugs so it is often used as a safe alternative to other herbs that are used for anxiety, such as St John’s wort, which cannot be taken with many prescription medications. Avena sativa may also be of use in helping with drug withdrawal and is often combined with valerian and skullcap.