Your muscles attach to your bones. This connection is at the core of the most powerful means of building new bone: weight-bearing exercise. But to do that, you need muscles that can apply positive stress on your bones, triggering new growth.
Savers know that protein is necessary for building muscle, so today we'll look at six other nutrients that your muscles require to grow stronger.
1. Calcium
Calcium is well known as the primary mineral for bone health, but did you know it's also essential for muscle building?
Calcium facilitates muscle contraction, so it's involved in every movement your body makes. And since exercise is what builds muscle, you need calcium to add muscle mass. This doubles up calcium's ability to build bone since muscle mass is necessary to trigger bone growth through weight-bearing exercise.1
The Save Institute recommends taking calcium citrate and plant-based algae-derived calcium and consuming foods that contain calcium. Here are some bone-healthy food sources of calcium:
- Sesame seeds*
- Poppy seeds
- Sardines*
- Canned salmon*
- Lentils*
- Almonds*
- Collard greens*
- Kale*
- Rhubarb
- Amaranth
- Edamame
- Figs
*Foundation Food
Synopsis
Calcium is required for muscle contraction, making it essential for exercising for your bones. Additionally, you need calcium for your body to build new bone. Be sure to get calcium through a combination of supplementation and food sources.
2. Vitamin D
Studies have linked Vitamin D deficiency to poor muscle health and function.
A review of randomized controlled studies found that elderly participants treated with Vitamin D supplements suffered fewer falls. Observational studies positively correlated Vitamin D levels with muscle strength and postural stability.2 This makes Vitamin D critical for preventing fractures and living a long, full life. Additionally, it's well known that Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium.
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Vitamin D is difficult to acquire through diet alone, but fortunately, you have two highly effective ways to increase your levels: sun exposure and supplementation.
At the Save Institute, we recommend taking 2000 IU daily of oral Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), especially during the winter months, when there’s little opportunity to get out in the sun.
If you can, get out in the sun for twenty minutes a day in the summer, and at least 30 minutes in the spring, fall and winter — and if you have a darker skin tone, add ten minutes. Try to keep Vitamin D serum levels between 40 and 70 ng/mL.
Synopsis
Studies have positively correlated Vitamin D levels with muscle strength and postural stability and shown that supplementation leads to fewer falls in the elderly. Take 2000 IU daily, and if you can, get direct sun exposure every day.
3. Zinc
Zinc is essential for the creation of new muscle tissue. It helps turn protein into muscle and regulates muscle-building hormones so that your workouts translate into new muscle mass.3
Additionally, zinc is an antioxidant that prevents cell damage, protecting your muscles, bones, and other body systems from oxidation caused by free radicals (also called reactive oxygen species or ROS). Zinc is also well known for supporting the immune system, making it a protective powerhouse.
Zinc also has an even more direct positive impact on your bones. It increases new bone formation by enhancing the proliferation of osteoblasts, the cells that create new bone.4
The Recommended Daily Allowance of zinc is 8mg for women and 11mg for men, but The Save Institute recommends daily supplementation of 25mg of amino acid chelated zinc and to consume foods that contain zinc.5
It’s crucial that zinc intake is balanced with copper, a mineral that is also important for bone health and overall well-being. Copper is necessary for the production of collagen, and it works with zinc, so the Save Institute recommends taking 2mg of amino acid chelated copper per day.
However, too much copper can undermine zinc levels and cause unpleasant symptoms. The right ratio is around 8:1, zinc to copper, but because copper is more prevalent than zinc (especially if you're eating an 80/20 pH-balanced diet) you should be sure to err on the side of increasing zinc intake.
Here are the foods that contain the most zinc, both animal and plant-based:
- Lamb
- Sesame seeds*
- Shitake mushrooms
- Garbanzo beans* (chickpeas)
- Beef
- Quinoa*
- Turkey*
- Green peas*
- Oats*
- Plain Yogurt*
- Cashews*
- Pumpkin seeds*
- Lentils*
- Beet greens
- Broccoli*
- Spinach*
- Tomatoes*
- Asparagus*
*Foundation Food
Synopsis
Zinc has powerful protective properties, helping to preserve muscle mass and good health. It also regulates hormones that are essential for building new muscle and promotes the creation of bone-building osteoblasts. We recommend consuming 25mg of zinc per day.
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects muscle cells from damaging free radicals. It also promotes the formation of collagen, which is essential for joint health. Since exercise requires movement, joint health is critical for a safe and productive workout.
Getting adequate levels of Vitamin C also helps reduce the muscle soreness caused by a workout. A study at The University Of North Carolina found that supplementation reduced DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and prevented the oxidation of the antioxidant glutathione.6
These same antioxidizing powers make Vitamin C an important factor in bone health. Even more essential is its role in collagen production, since collagen is an important component of bone.
Vitamin C also boosts your immune system, helping to prevent disease.
The Save Institute recommends supplementing with a minimum of 500mg up to an ideal 2000 mg of ascorbic acid per day to ensure you're taking advantage of everything this Foundation Supplement has to offer. Additionally, all of these Foundation Foods are excellent sources of Vitamin C:
- Oranges*
- Grapefruits *
- Lemons*
- Limes*
- Strawberries*
- Raspberries*
- Pineapple*
- Watermelon*
- Tomatoes*
- Broccoli*
- Brussel sprouts*
- Parsley*
*Foundation Foods
Synopsis
Vitamin C protects muscles from oxidative damage, and is instrumental for collagen production. Collagen is an important component of bone and of joints, making it essential for movement and exercise.
5. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is essential for proper protein metabolism and a healthy nervous system. It works with the other B vitamins to promote healthy mental function. The RDA for Vitamin B6 is 1.5 mg for women and 1.7 mg for men
Vitamin B6 can be found in these foods:
- Sunflower seeds*
- Carrots*
- Peas*
- Spinach*
- Bell peppers*
- Garlic*
*Foundation Foods
6. Vitamin B12
Vitamins B6 and B12 both play direct roles in protein metabolism, allowing your body to use the protein in your diet to build new muscle.
They also support the production of red blood cells and immune cells, which aid muscle growth and repair, allowing your body to recover from your workouts, and turn the strain on your muscle into new muscle mass.7
Studies have linked Vitamin B12 deficiency to low bone density and increased fracture risk, particularly fractures of the hip.8,9 Additionally, B12 participates in DNA synthesis and nerve health and helps cells metabolize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Adults need at least 2.4 micrograms of Vitamin B12 daily, but at the Save Institute, we recommend a minimum of 100 mcg a day of methylcobalamin (and not cyanocobalamin). Unfortunately, most of the dietary sources of B12 are acidifying. The one exception is plain yogurt, which can be supported by supplementation. A B-complex vitamin allows for the cooperative actions of the B vitamins to take effect.
Acidifying food sources of B12 should be balanced with alkalizing foods, in accordance with the 80/20 pH-balanced diet. Those sources of B12 include:
- Shrimp
- Cod
- Halibut*
- Salmon*
- Sardines*
- Grass-fed beef
- Lamb
*Foundation Foods
Synopsis
Vitamins B6 and B12 help your body to metabolize protein, allowing for the creation of new muscle mass. Additionally, they support the immune system and the production of red blood cells, both of which are critical for muscle repair and recovery. The RDA for Vitamin B6 is 1.5 mg for women and 1.7 mg for men. The RDA for B12 is 2.4 mcg per day. In addition to dietary sources, take a B-complex vitamin to ensure you're getting enough of these important micronutrients.
What This Means To You
Ensuring you get the above vitamins and minerals as part of your daily intake will allow you to continue to build muscle strength to strengthen your bones, prevent falls, and achieve optimum health.
If you aren't meeting your fitness goals or just want some more support and variation, try the Save Institute's digital video workout platform SaveTrainer. It is a unique exercise platform that focuses on enhancing bone health and counteracting the effects of aging, setting a new standard for home-based fitness, catering to people of all ages, fitness levels, and schedules.
SaveTrainer offers a diverse library of video workouts that target bone strength, joint health, balance, posture, flexibility, meditation, sleep improvement, and yoga. The collection is continually growing, with fresh workout classes being added regularly. You can try SaveTrainer for free for 14 days, and since it provides personalized training right at your fingertips, you can benefit from workouts using your laptop, desktop, phone, tablet, or even television.
And don't forget that your consistent workouts need the support of a healthy diet to provide the nutrients your muscles need to grow. Both actions lead to stronger, healthier bones!
References
1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006349575858498
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3513873/
3
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/130/5/1500S/4686427
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2981717/
5 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16948483
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9569395
Thanks Vivian, I enjoyed very much to read the wonderful articles you always provided to ur audience like myself. I have a question that I need you to answer as I trust you and the knowledge brings to us readers. Do I need to take my vitD with K2 in order for the vitD to be absorbed into my bones and not to go to the blood instead? Hope u can answer my question through my email. It w’d be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, Ana.
Hi I would appreciate advice on a topic relevant to bone health but doesn’t get much attention and that is jaw crepatis. Very painful to eat and open mouth and jaw joint grates like sandpaper bone on bone.
Great advice generally but I can’t access it as no computer.
Kind regards
Jane
Hi Vivian. I am so sad to say that I fell for the “angst”trap and started on Tymlos. I am in my 7th pen and have 11 to go to end the treatment that is very expensive. I avoided the biophosphonates and I am trying yo follow your program. I want to finish the tymlos program but I am afraid I might be hurting my bones rather than helping them. Can you give me some advice on this. I truly trust you. Thanks a lot
Dear Marichu,
It’s our pleasure to provide you with answers to your questions, so please check your email inbox within the next 24-48 hours.
In excellent health,
Customer Support
Hello, was wondering what you would suggest for bilateral facet joint hypertrophy.
Was just diagnosed with it and don’t want to take opioids and take nsaids….thank you .
Dear Patty,
We’re happy to help you so please check your email inbox within the next 24-48 hours.
In excellent health,
Customer Support
Your work is so thorough and amazing. One thing, please add Brewer’s Yeast to your B12 list for non meat eaters.
Thanks for your kind words and for the suggestion, TC! Nutritional yeast provides good amounts of B12, even more than brewer’s yeast.
Hi Vivian.
You posted an article maybe 2/3 years ago about an homemade salve for skin fungus. I saved it somewhere and now that i need it i cant find it. Do you remember it and can you help.
Thanks in advance
Hello, Cagney! Please check your inbox for an email from our customer service representative – we will be sending you information on your question. 🙂
Hi Vivian,
My blood test shows that i have high level of vitamin K .
And every time i eat kale i got headache..i was wonder is it safe to take Algecal calcium ?because there is Vitamin K in it ?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it can accumulate in the body. Before you take a supplement, I suggest you consult with a naturopathic doctor to find the reason why your levels are high.
Hi Vivian. Love your tips. If the person has plaques in the arteries can they ingest calcium? If yes, which one: organic or inorganic? And how much? Besides, can vitamin K2 and magnesium be included in that list?
Thank you so much. You are the best!!!
First, let me say that I’m moved by your kind words. Now to answer your questions, anyone with arterial plaque should not take inorganic calcium. Organic calcium poses no risk, especially when combined with Vitamins K2, D3, and magnesium.
Take a look at these articles on the topic:
https://saveourbones.com/calcium-heart-attack/
https://saveourbones.com/can-calcium-cause-brain-lesions-kidney-stones-and-heart-attacks/
Is there a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement which could be taken daily to ensure all of the nutrients suggested be v. Goldsmidt are ingested?
Unfortunately, at this time there isn’t one supplement with our exact recommendations. We’ll keep you posted on this.
Is Ascorbic Acid, which most VitCsupplements are made of, an adequate substance for VitC supplementation? I have read that comparing Ascorbic Acid to VitC is like comparing a lean-to shelter with a pucca house with four walls a floor and a roof? So is it best to rely on only natural cources of VitC?
According to research presented by the Linus Pauling Institute, “…natural and synthetic L-ascorbic acid are chemically identical and there are no known differences regarding biological activities or bioavailability.”
Thank you so much for having your information articles. Besides having lots of good information you don’t tack on requests for money or include excess unnecessary information.
Thank you for being here.
I appreciate your kind words, Carol! And please know we’all always be here for you and for all Savers 😀