Although everyone loses bone density as they age, certain groups are particularly at risk. As many as half of all women in the United States older than 65 should be concerned about maintaining good bone health. Thorne's Oscap is a comprehensive bone support supplement.* It contains dicalcium malate and dimagnesium malate (two calcium or magnesium molecules each bound to one molecule of malic acid) for enhanced absorption and greater concentration of these important minerals.*

Adequate magnesium intake promotes bone density by optimizing the secretion of parathyroid hormone and facilitating active calcium transport to the bones.* Oscap provides vitamin D3, which facilitates the absorption of calcium; boron, which assists the body's metabolism of vitamin D and estrogen; and B vitamins for healthy methylation, which mediates homocysteine levels, a known risk factor of low bone density.*

Research indicates that an elevated homocysteine level in the blood can interfere with the integrity of the bone matrix. Therefore, Oscap contains methylcobalamin (an active form of vitamin B12), L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (the active form of folic acid), and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (the active form of vitamin B6) for their function in helping to maintain already normal homocysteine levels.* To provide a bone health formula that can be used by individuals taking a blood-thinning medication, Oscap does not contain vitamin K.

As women age, they experience an overall increase in bone loss compared to bone formation, so a woman's concern about maintaining good bone health should begin well before menopause. Because some bone loss during menopause is inevitable, more bone a woman has 'banked' earlier in life, the greater her peak bone mass as she begins to age. Hence, menopausal bone loss will have less of an adverse impact. Even women in the 18-35 year-old age group should make an effort to achieve good bone health, because physical inactivity, low body weight, eating disorders, and poor nutrition during these ages can have adverse impacts on bone health later in life.

Groups at particular risk for bone loss in addition to women include smokers, those with a sedentary lifestyle, individuals who consume excessive sugar, alcohol, or caffeine, small-boned individuals, Caucasians, Asians, and patients on steroid or anticonvulsant therapies for prolonged periods of time.