About Osteoporosis

Julie asked:


Are you at risk for developing osteoporosis?  Over 34 billion Americans currently suffer from low bone density that can lead to osteoporosis and potentially deadly bone fractures.  Now more than ever, we want to live long and healthy lives, and prolong our active and vibrant quality of life.  Knowing whether you are at risk for developing osteoporosis can help you maintain your quality of life well into your senior years.

Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but research has shown that certain people have a higher risk of developing this disabling disease.  Here are the top 10 risk factors:

1. Women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.  Once a woman is post-menopausal, her risk increases further.  Women who have an early or surgically-induced menopause are also at higher risk.

2. Women who are Caucasian or Asian are at a higher risk.  If you are thin and have a small frame, your chances of developing osteoporosis increase.

3. Has your mother had a hip fracture or osteoporosis?  If so, your risk of hip fracture is doubled.

4. A diet low in calcium, either as an adult or as a child, can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. 

5. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.  Lack of vitamin D is another risk factor for developing osteoporosis.

6. Smoking cigarettes interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium.

7. Excessive alcohol consumption also makes it difficult for calcium to be absorbed.  Bones will be weaker without sufficient calcium.

8. Lack of weight-bearing exercise, or if you have been unable to walk or exercise for an extended period of time can put you at risk. 

9. Long-term use of certain medications can cause osteoporosis.  If you have taken certain medications for asthma or arthritis, or have had chemotherapy treatments, check with your doctor to see if you are at risk for osteoporosis.

10. Eating disorders can lead to osteoporosis, because nutrients are not properly absorbed.

If you think you are at risk for developing osteoporosis, see your doctor.  Although osteoporosis is a serious disease, there are ways to prevent osteoporosis and the fractures that can result.  Your doctor can recommend changes in diet and exercise, regular bone density screenings, and medications that help increase bone density and prevent fractures.

Once you understand the risks of osteoporosis and can address them, you’ll be on your way to living a healthy, active lifestyle no matter what your age. 

Are you at risk for osteoporosis?  Find out how healthy living and exercise can reduce your risk factors for osteoporosis!



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blondie asked:


Of these two ONLY, which are they more likely to fracture? If you can, tell my why. (but you don’t need to)

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Darrell Miller asked:


Osteoporosis is a progressive disease characterized by the bones gradually becoming weaker and weaker. This causes changes in posture and makes the individual extremely susceptible to bone fractures. Because of the physiological, nutritional, and hormonal differences between males and females, osteoporosis affects many more women than men. Men also suffer from bone loss, often as a side effect of certain medications like chemotherapy, drugs, thyroid hormone, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants, or as a result of other illnesses. About half of all women, and 25 percent of American men, between the ages of fifty and seventy-five show signs of some degree of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Bone is at its strongest when a person is around the age of thirty. After this age, bone begins to decline. In women, this decline begins to accelerate at menopause. If one has not accumulated sufficient bone mass during those former times in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, if one loses it too quickly in later years, he or she is at an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Many people have the impression that osteoporosis is caused solely by a dietary calcium deficiency. Therefore, may people think it can be remedied by taking calcium supplements? However, that is not quite correct. It is actually the way calcium is absorbed and used by the body that seems to be the important factor, not actually the amount of calcium consumed. Additionally, the type of calcium consumed is important. Although calcium supplementation is important in dealing with osteoporosis, other considerations need to be taken into account. The correct balance of magnesium, boron, potassium, folic acid, and vitamins C, D, E, and K, all play extremely important roles in battling osteoporosis, along with protein.

Twenty Five million people, 80 percent of which are women, in the United States alone are affected by osteoporosis. This condition can appear at any age and is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually. These fractures include 300,000 hip fractures, approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures at other sites. An estimated $14 billion is spent each year by hospitals and nursing homes in the United States each year in direct costs for osteoporosis and related fractures.

There are three basic types of osteoporosis. Type I is believed to be caused by hormonal changes, especially a loss of estrogen, which causes the loss of minerals from the bones to accelerate. Type II is linked to dietary deficiency, especially a lack of sufficient calcium and of vitamin D, which is crucial for the absorption of calcium. Type III occurs in men and women of any age and is caused by drug treatment for other illnesses or other diseases that are unconnected with osteoporosis.

The following nutrients are recommended for preventing and treating osteoporosis: boron, calcium, copper, glucosamine plus chondroitin, magnesium, phosphorus, silica, soy isoflavones, vitamin B complex, vitamin D3, vitamin K, l-lysine, MSM, a multi-enzyme complex, vitamin A with mixed carotenoids, zinc, chromium picolinate, DLPA, kelp, manganese, a multivitamin and mineral complex, and vitamin C with bioflavonoids. Additionally, the following herbs may be beneficial: feverfew, alfalfa, barley grass, black cohosh, boneset, dandelion root, nettle, parsley, poke root, rose hips, yucca, horsetail, oat straw, red clover, sage, rosemary, and thyme.

All of these great vitamins and herbs are available at your local or internet health food store at discount prices. Look for name brands to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase this way you get what you pay for.

*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Vitamins and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.



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Matt Traverso asked:


Osteoporosis is one of the most dangerous diseases of the bones that tend to an increased risk of bone fracture. For people that are suffering from this terrible disease, the BMD – bone mineral density is significantly reduced, the bone micro architecture is disrupted and the variety and quantity of non-collagenous proteins in bones is altered.

It is estimated that more than 200 million men and women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. More than that, one out of three females aged over 50 years suffers a fracture because of this disease. Almost one out of five men and women over 50 years who have a hip fracture will die within a year because of its indirect consequences. In 2000, approximately 5.5 million new osteoporotic fractures occurred in women.

Have you ever thought about how you can build strong bones? By doing this you will stay away from this horrible disease that affects so many people across the world. If you are in such an unfortunate situation from which you have many problems with this disease, it is not all lost because treatment of osteoporosis is an option.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

In most cases at first, this disease does not cause any symptoms this is why it is called the “silent” disease. Usually the disease becomes noticed in a very severe way: a fracture of a vertebra, forearm, hip or any other bony site. The fractures can and usually will cause severe back pain and the vertebrae collapse down on themselves and the person actually loses height

Which medications are commonly used for osteoporosis treatment?

Bisphosphonates Alendronate (Fosamax) Risedronate (Actonel) Ibandronate (Boniva) Zoledronic acid (Reclast)

Did you know that there is a natural cure for osteoporosis?

We will offer you a natural way of to fight osteoporosis:

Vitamin K in small quantities will surely help in the porosity of the bones Do not eat meat – replace it with green leafy vegetables Sesame seeds every morning Dandelion tea is a natural cure for osteoporosis One tablespoon of honey everyday is another viable option to cure Osteoporosis

How do doctors diagnose osteoporosis?

By measuring the bone mineral density and the most popular way to do so is dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA / DEXA). More than that, the diagnosis of osteoporosis requires investigations into potentially modifiable underlying causes – this is done with X-rays and blood tests.

Can the medication alone cure osteoporosis?

Not really, here is what you should do, God forbid you would suffer from this disease:

Good nutrition – practice healthy-eating habits and make sure that you are getting sufficient vitamin D. and calcium. Being underweight or losing a lot of weight unintentionally is associated with poorer bone health and a higher risk of fracture. Stop smoking and drinking – as cigarettes will speed up bone loss and alcohol will further harm you Sport – weight-bearing physical activity will strengthen bones and improve balance.

All things considered, anyone can fight this disease by having a healthy lifestyle: good nutrition, eliminate vices, take the proper medication and keep your hope at all times. Good luck.



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Aaron asked:


Why do I often hear that it’s not uncommon for astronauts to get osteoporosis and other osteo conditions?

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Jared Wright asked:


Though osteoporosis can affect anyone it is more prevalent in older people and women are especially very prone to it. One in every two woman and one in every three men over the age of sixty are affected, in some way, by osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease associated with the weakening of the bones caused by the loss of bone density. Around the age of 35 both males and females start losing calcium, but women loose more during the menopausal years and are therefore more affected by the disease then men.

Many times when older people fall and break a hip it is not because of the fall that the hip broke but it is because the hip broke that they fell. The broken hip is, most of the time, because of brittle bones caused by osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is also referred to as the “silent disease”. It doesn’t show any real symptoms until it is nearly too late. Medical doctors and gynecologists can test their patients for osteoporosis with a bone density test. 

There are a few situations in which people will be more susceptible to osteoporosis and it might be good to have a bone density test if you fit any of the criteria.

Calcium and vitamin D are very important for strong bones so if you always had a low intake of these, you might be at risk. Asian and Caucasian woman are more prone than others. Women with a low body weight and small build tend to be more at risk than larger women. A family history of osteoporosis and early menopause are also risk factors.

In older people certain symptoms and occurrences can be an indication of osteoporosis. Losing height and a hunch-back like postures are many times because of osteoporosis. Other symptoms that might indicate osteoporosis are cramps in the legs at night, pain in the lower back or spine, loss of teeth and abdominal pains.

The best defense against osteoporosis should start in childhood and early adult years. Enough vitamin D and calcium are essential, as well as, regular exercise.

Because it is so difficult to rebuild bone, treatment for osteoporosis is never a cure. There is medication available that will strengthen the bones and prevent any further loss. This should be prescribed by a doctor after the necessary tests were done.

Lifestyle changes will also assist, but older people that already suffering from osteoporosis should be careful with the type of exercises they do and it would be better to seek the help of professionals before attempting new exercise routines.



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Richard Jensen, PhD asked:


            Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones, which usually occurs in middle-aged and older women. It is a serious problem that can dramatically affect the quality of life for someone, especially if they end up with bone fractures. The health cost of fractures alone in older people was almost $15 billion per year in the 1990’s (1). There are three types of osteoporosis. Type I is hormonal-related (ex. estrogen deficiency). Type II is diet-related (ex. calcium deficiency). Type III is drug treatment-related (ex. corticosteroid therapy for an unrelated condition) (2). As of 1999, an estimated 10 million people in the USA had osteoporosis (2). About one out of three women end up with osteoporosis after menopause (3).

            A woman’s menstrual cycles that stop in mid-life is known as menopause. The bone-maintaining hormone estrogen falls in concentration after menopause. Estrogen helps maintain healthy bone density. The lowering of estrogen levels then results in bone loss over time, although the loss is highly variable between people. Ten years after menopause, bone mass losses can range from 5-40% (4). In the past, doctors would simply prescribe estrogen as a replacement therapy. Later, John Lee, MD discovered that the hormone progesterone is equally important as estrogen to bone health. Estrogen therapy may slow bone loss, but progesterone therapy can reverse bone loss (5). Unfortunately, both estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement can have serious side effects, including: heart attack, stroke, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, gallbladder disease, and vision problems (6). There are other causes of osteoporosis besides hormonal changes after menopause. They include: drug use, old age (after age 70), other illnesses of organs, non-sex hormone gland problems, malnutrition, and physical inactivity (4). The use of drugs for ailments unrelated to osteoporosis can be a major factor in their unwanted contribution to bone thinning. There are many different medications that may contribute to osteoporosis, including: antibiotics, corticosteroids, diuretics (water pills), thyroid medications, and antacids that contain aluminum (7). Since drug use can have such a powerful effect on bone health, there has been a large amount of research on how to maintain bone health through several different means, including nutrition.

            There are two main nutrients that have been examined when looking at the relationship between nutrition and bone health: protein and calcium. The reason is that one third of bone is protein (collagen matrix), and two-thirds of bone is composed of calcium phosphate, with some small amounts of sodium and magnesium. When protein (especially animal protein) is digested and assimilated, there is a release of acids in the body. The excess acid is then excreted by the kidneys. However, acid is positively charged, and there always has to be an equal amount of positively and negatively charged molecules in any solution. The molecules that release the positively charged acid into the body (for example, sulfate) are now negatively charged. The body cannot simply get rid of the positively charged acid by itself, it needs negatively charged molecules to soak up, or buffer the acid. With otherwise healthy people, this is easy to do, because the body has different molecules to bind to the acid and later excrete it.

            Similarly, the body cannot get rid of the sulfate molecules alone that recently released the acid. The kidneys need to balance the negatively charged sulfate molecules with positively charged minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. This is where minerals are lost from the body: balancing the charges of molecules that were once acidic. There are minerals in the bloodstream that can initially buffer the protein-derived molecules, but they are eventually depleted. This is when the minerals in bone are recruited to help balance diet-related acid production.

            The first compounds in the bone to help buffer an excess acid load from the diet are sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. Later, calcium is leached from the bones as calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate (8). High-protein diets do result in increased calcium excretion (9). Additional evidence for protein leaching calcium from the bones comes from a study showing that there is an elevated risk of bone fracture in women that have a high protein intake and low calcium intake (10). However, there is some evidence that increasing protein intake does not necessarily use up buffering minerals from bone for two reasons. First, if the diet is balanced with adequate amounts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, then there does not have to be an acid neutralization of the protein from bone minerals. Second, excess acid generated by digestion stimulates ammonia production, which can accept excess acid, becoming the ammonium ion, which is then excreted (11). Whatever the cause, there is bone loss from mineral leaching, which happens over long periods of time.

            The key to slowing osteoporosis is to ensure that there are adequate minerals to balance molecules like sulfate, especially the mineral calcium. Estrogen helps the body absorb calcium (12). Soybeans have chemicals that mimic estrogen; therefore the eating of soybeans may be safer than direct estrogen-replacement therapy. Since the serious side effects of estrogen and progesterone replacement have been recognized, there have been some relatively safer drugs put out on the market. Bisphosphonate, or Alendronate (Fosamax) is generally well-tolerated (6). Calcitonin nasal spray is safer than calcionin injection, which has resulted in at least one fatality in the past, due to an allergic reaction (13). Raloxifene (Evista) has a relatively low side-effect profile. Potassium bicarbonate has been experimentally used to treat osteoporosis. However, there can be serious side effects form overuse of oral bicarbonate solutions (14).

            There are two ways to get more calcium in the body: food and supplements. Foods that have a good amount of calcium include beans and green leafy vegetables. However, the calcium in spinach is poorly absorbed. People who tend to do better with a protein and fat-based diet need a greater calcium intake. These are probably the same people who would benefit from supplementing with calcium for the treatment and/or prevention of osteoporosis. People who tend to do better on carbohydrates instead of protein and fat should add magnesium to their osteoporosis-fighting regimen (5). Additionally, it appears that there are highly variable calcium requirements between ethnic groups for maintaining bone mass (7). Since both protein and minerals are lost in osteoporosis, it would make sense to replace both protein and minerals at the same time, through a supplemented meal, for example.

            Although the recommended daily allowance of calcium is 1000-1200 mg, the National Osteoporosis Foundation claims that the average adult American has a calcium intake of only 500-700 mg/day (3). Calcium intake by drinking milk may not be the best method. Women who drank at least two glasses of milk a day actually had a 50% higher chance of hip fractures (15). The reasons for this strange outcome are unknown. There probably is not enough protein in the milk to leach calcium from the bones, especially when there is calcium in the milk to begin with. It has been known for a long time, though, that most adults are at least partially lactose intolerant, and that dairy product use can contribute to a number of different illnesses, including allergies and certain infections.

            If you supplement with high doses of calcium (more than 1000 mg/day), try to also supplement with some magnesium, manganese, and zinc. High calcium intake can inhibit the actions of these three other minerals (12). Do not supplement with more than 500 mg/day of magnesium, 10 mg/day of manganese, or 50 mg/day of zinc. Do not take calcium supplements at the same time as eating whole grains—they can inhibit calcium absorption (2). Also do not take calcium supplements at the same time as any fiber supplements, or when eating leafy greens such as spinach.

            Calcium supplements, if taken with food (not with whole grains or spinach) are generally well-tolerated. People with kidney stones, a family history of kidney stones, or low stomach acid (achlorhydria) should notify their physician before taking any supplements. Calcium supplements may be somewhat more effective when taken in the evening (16). Calcium citrate and calcium phosphate are supposedly the best absorbed forms. Calcium gluconate and calcium lactate are decently absorbed, and calcium carbonate is poorly absorbed (2).

            Vitamin D supplementation may be even more important for middle-aged women than calcium supplementation. Vitamin D helps absorb and regulate calcium in the body. Whether to supplement with vitamin D or not may depend on how much sunlight someone gets. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun helps to produce vitamin D internally. There is some controversy about the maximal amount of vitamin D supplementation that is still safe to take. A conservative level would be a maximal amount of 1000 IU/day. Some practitioners claim that much greater amounts of vitamin D are safe. Too much vitamin D supplementation can cause dangerously high calcium levels (hypercalcemia), which can sometimes lead to heart problems.

            Vitamin C helps in the formation of collagen, a connective tissue protein that is essential for bone stability. Also, Vitamin C improves calcium absorption up to 2-fold (17). There are other minerals besides calcium that can be helpful for osteoporosis. Magnesium helps calcium incorporation into bone. Zinc may be useful to supplement with if someone has osteoporosis, since both blood and bone levels of zinc are lower in osteoporotic women (18). Boron is a good supplement for middle-aged women to consider taking. Boron slows calcium and magnesium loss from the body (7). Also, boron can raise estrogen levels significantly. Therefore, women who have had breast or endometrial cancer, or a family history of the above cancers, may not want to supplement with boron.

            As you have read, there are many different ways to deal with both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, including more non-invasive natural ones. However, one needs to be careful in the way they approach any natural therapy for preventing or treating osteoporosis. Simply drinking milk or taking calcium supplements may not help anything by themselves. It would be a good idea to discuss strategies for dealing with osteoporosis with both your physician and a nutritional consultant.

References:

1. Katzung, B. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 7th Ed. New York, NY: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill Health Professions Division, 1998.

2. Balch, P. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Ed. Avery Books/Penguin Putnam Inc., 2000.

3. Reavley, N. The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs. New York, NY: M. Evan & Co., 1998.

4. Colbin, A. Food and Our Bones. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1998.

5. Wolcott, W., & Fahey, T. The Metabolic Typing Diet. New York, NY: Random House, 2000.

6. Physician’s Desk Reference, 59th Ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR, 2005.

7. Brown, S. Better Bones, Better Body. Los Angeles, CA: Penguin Putnam Inc, 2000.

8. Lemann, J Jr., & Lennon, E. (1972). Role of diet, gastrointestinal tract and bone in acid-base homeostasis. Kidney Int, 1: 275-279.

9. Hu, JF, Zhao, XH, Parpia, B, & Campbell, TC (1993). Dietary intakes and urinary excretion of calcium and acids: a cross-sectional study of women in china. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 58: 398-406

10. Meyer, H., Pederson, J., Loken, E., & Tverdal, A. (1997). Dietary factors and the incidence of hip fracture in middle-aged Norwegians. A prospective study. Am J Epidemiology, 145(2): 117-123.

11. Remer, T. (2001). Influence of nutrition on acid-base balance—metabolic aspects. European Journal of Nutrition. Oct, 40(15): 214-220.

12. The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs. Pleasantville, NY: Reader’s Digest Association, 1999.

13. PDR Generics, 3rd Ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1997.

14. Sebastian, A., et. al. (1994). Improved mineral balance and skeletal metabolism in postmenopausal women treated with potassium bicarbonate. New England Journal of Medicine, 330(25): 1776-1781.

15. Feskanich, D., Willet, W., Stampfer, M., & Colditz, G. (1997). Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fracture risk in women: a 12-year prospective study. American Journal of Public Health, 87(6): 992-997

16. Horowitz, M., et. al. (1988) Biochemical effects of calcium supplementation in postmenopausal osteoporosis. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 42: 775-778.

17. Leichsenring, J., Norris, L., & Halbert, M. (1957) Effect of ascorbic acid and of orange juice on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in women. Journal of Nutrition, 63: 425-435.

18. Atik, S. (1983). Zinc and senile osteoporosis. J Am Geriatric Soc, 31: 790-791

 

 



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shane asked:


According to the statistics of NFO (National Osteoporosis Foundation), about 12million Americans suffer from the osteoporosis. This is a disease that makes bones weak and vulnerable to fractures, especially among women. This disease usually occurs in women after the menopause in which the bones become very porous, break easily, and heal slowly.

Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones frail due to the loss of normal bone density. Normally, the bones consist of protein and calcium that gives energy and power to our bones. In osteoporosis, the bones lack this strength and may break or get fractured with even the slightest injury. The hips, spine, and wrists are the main areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis.

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is an effective treatment to control osteoporosis. The combination of estrogen and progestin is commonly termed as HRT. This therapy can be done in two ways. First is through the use of estrogen only. Estrogen intake may bring a woman’s estrogen levels back to premenopausal point and also delay the bone thinning, making them strong as ever. But alone the estrogen might cause the risk of uterus cancer. Therefore, this method is applicable and beneficial for women having removed their uterus. The second method is by the combination of both estrogen and progestin that defy the negative effects of estrogen on the uterus. Progestin basically stops endometrial cancer from developing in a woman’s uterus.

HRT is not today advisable as a foremost pick of therapy for long-term interference of osteoporosis in women who are over 50 geezer hood of age, as there are remaining medicines accessible that do not drink the risks related with HRT. There is Solon message most these medicines below.

HRT relic an deciding for women over 50 at try of fractures for whom these opposite medicines are not suitable. HRT is also console a worthy deciding for women who get had an past menopause. Nevertheless in this showcase therapy should exclusive be utilized for treating menopausal symptoms and preventing osteoporosis until the age of 50, after which case different medicines hawthorn be many suitable.

HRT improves bone density, particularly of the arm, hip, spine and greatly lowers the risk of fractures. However once the medication is stopped, so will the effects of the treatment vanish. HRT for osteoporosis has to be consistent if it is to be successful.

HRT is now safely recommended by the physicians to prevent osteoporosis in women over 50 years of age. To know more about the HRT Treatment and how it may help you further, please visit LA Health & Rejuvenation Center.



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