Living in Australia comes with its unique perks, one of which is the regular visits from iconic native birds like the kookaburra. In my community, we have a regular visitor named “Cookie,” who patiently waits to be fed by local residents. These tree kingfishers are famous for their distinctive laugh – a fun fact, a modified version of the laugh was used as the dolphin’s voice in the 1964 TV series Flipper.
Kookaburras are natural carnivores, with a diet that includes snakes, worms, small reptiles, and insects like spiders and cockroaches. However, feeding urban kookaburras has inadvertently created a significant problem. Household foods like mincemeat, raw steak, and bread lack the essential nutrients these birds need, leading to calcium deficiencies, especially in younger birds. This deficiency can result in brittle bones, weakened beaks, and long-term metabolic bone diseases, akin to osteoporosis in humans.
The issue is further compounded when kookaburras are fed lean steak, which, while dense, doesn’t meet their nutritional needs. As a result, they may eat less, reducing their intake of native foods and potentially leading to further deficiencies. To ensure their health, it’s crucial to supplement their diet with insectivore-specific nutrients. After all, unlike us, kookaburras can’t visit an OsteoStrong Centre to rebuild their bone strength!
This scenario offers a valuable lesson for us humans. Just as kookaburras need the right nutrition to maintain healthy bones, so do we. Unfortunately, many of the foods we consume today are lower in nutritional quality than they once were. This means that even with a well-balanced diet, supplements might be necessary to maintain optimal bone health. Key nutrients to consider include Vitamins K2, C, D, E, and B complex, along with essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, boron, and complete amino acids (protein).
Bone health doesn’t have to be confusing. At OsteoStrong, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of bone nutrition and strength. Our specialised bone strengthening program is designed to ensure your bones stay strong and healthy for years to come.
Remember, healthy bones are the foundation of a long, happy life—whether you’re a kookaburra or a human!
