About Osteoporosis

Ray Attebery asked:


To protect your bones from osteoporosis, look beyond calcium, suggests a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

After studying more than 2,000 men and women ages 70 to 79, researchers learned people consuming the most magnesium had denser bones, which helps prevent osteoporosis.

Though clinical trials will be needed to clarify magnesiums role, researchers say the study results add to previous research that shows the mineral is a key player in the fight against osteoporosis. The strength of the association is similar to a previous study of calcium intake and bone density, says lead study author Kathryn M. Ryder, M.D., M.Sci., associate professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

The recommended dietary allowance for men is 420 milligrams (mg) of magnesium per day; for women, 320 mg per day. Dr. Ryder advises reaching this goal through food alone. Check out our handy grocery list for some delicious options to help prevent osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about supplements if you can not take in enough magnesium through foods, says Dr. Ryder. And start low. High doses of magnesium supplements may cause diarrhea and cramping.

Grocery List: Magnesium

FOOD DAILY VALUE MET
3 oz cooked halibut_________________20% 1 oz dry roasted almonds_____________________20% 1/2 cup frozen, cooked spinach______________20% 1/2 cup cooked soybeans____________________________20%
Instant oatmeal with water__________15%
Medium potato with skin_____________15%
2 T peanut butter___________________15%
8 oz plain nonfat yogurt____________10%
3/4 cup bran flakes_________________10%
1/2 cup brown rice__________________10%
1/2 cup kidney beans_________________8%
1 cup chocolate milk (2% or skim)____8%
1 medium banana______________________8%
1 slice whole wheat bread____________6%
1/4 cup raisins______________________6%

Move right, Eat Right To find out how food and exercise choices affect bone health and help prevent osteoporosis, we spoke with Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., associate professor at Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in Boston and author of Strong Women, Strong Bones.

What are your exercise tips for strong bones? Strength training and weight-bearing exercises. Weight-bearing exercise means you are truly bearing your weight, as in walking, jogging, skipping, jumping, playing tennis. With the strength training, you will want it to be progressive, using heavier weights over time.

Besides calcium, what should you consume for bone strength? Vitamin D is also important, but it is really about establishing healthy habits. You should eat at least three low-fat dairy foods, five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables, three of protein (meat, fish, eggs) and six servings of whole grains daily. Do this, and you will get the nutrients that are good for bones. Then choose a supplement to make up any deficit you might have.

Strong bones go a long way toward osteoporosis prevention. So remember to exercise and choose delicious foods containing magnesium and vitamin D, as well as calcium.

Don

sierra_06 asked:


How does one’s food pattern over time contribute to the development of Diabetes, Heart disease, Osteoporosis, or Cancer?

Tom

Mick Hince asked:


Within this article the aim is to point people in the right direction with regard to Osteoporosis prevention. As most people know Osteoporosis is a bone crippling disease which can affect anyone at any time of life.

The highest area of sufferers is women in the age group of 50 plus years, and in most cases it revolves around the onset of menopause where the body tends to deprive the patient of the vitamins and supplements that are needed to combat this problem.

Men do suffer as well but not to such a high degree, and when they do it normally boils down to the fact that they have over done the alcohol intake or have smoked too many cigarettes. Both alcohol and cigarettes are said to me major factors in both men and women.

All over the world there are countless thousands of new cases every year, and this is not just confined to the western world as many countries have people that are under nourished and lack the vital supplements.

It is also fair to say that most people only find out they are suffering from Osteoporosis when they have a broken bone or fracture so I believe that Osteoporosis prevention should be as common as women checking themselves for breast cancer.

The main prevention or defence against Osteoporosis is by making sure the body has the right supply that it needs. This means upping the intake of things like Calcium, and by eating the right foods.

By the right foods I mean fresh fruit and vegetables, and by staying away from sugar based products and products with a high preservative level which tends to rule out a lot of pre-prepared foods, and fast foods.

A good way to look at the prevention of Osteoporosis is to visualise that the body is approximately 70% water, and as water has a ph level either of acidic or alkaline make up it is always advisable to move to the alkaline side of your intake. This means that foods with a high acidic value such as meat are not really the best for the body as the acidic content will be the base of what causes problems.

The suggestion is to have one meal a day on things like mixed fruit. Try mixing melon with red fruits, apples, plums etc. All of which have an alkaline make up.

Please note that I am not a Doctor or am I anyway qualified to give nutritional advice, and it is always advisable to check with your Doctor or a Nutritionist.

Troy

♠♣♥Rogue♣♥♠ asked:


I have a bowl of cereal every night since I was a kid. It is a really healthy substitute for any other night snacks I could be eating. But will it help prevent Osteoporosis?

Lucy

jamilajan asked:


was there a hobbie you had to give up? What was other ppl’s reaction to you?

Lois

Michael Porteous asked:


A lot more is known about Osteoporosis than a few years ago but the myths and lies of the corporations that benefit from the sales of ineffectual and even dangerous drugs still persist. These Osteoporosis facts will destroy many of the myths and beliefs long held in the community about this bone condition!

Osteoporosis Fact 1 - Low estrogen levels do not cause osteoporosis!

For many years the public and medical profession has been fed incorrect information about how Osteoporosis works and how it can be treated. By redefining the condition, meddling with statistics and withholding vital medical information from tests the big drug companies that had been looking for a way to sell their hormone replacement pills had found a new market.

By convincing the populace with a major marketing campaign the companies whose estrogen supplements had suffered a major loss as research showed it had major side effects with cancer being the major problem. Suddenly it seemed common knowledge that lack of Estrogen which occurs in older women after menopause was what caused low bone density!

This was not true but the marketing campaign backed by corrupt studies had everyone convinced so the sales of these products despite their risks skyrocketed.

There is in fact no proof that low estrogen levels causes Osteoporosis. Women from many cultures have been tested and it is found that older women from all over the world do suffer any major Osteoporosis problems on the whole.

Osteoporosis Fact 2 - Increasing calcium intake will not stop Osteoporosis!

Osteoporosis and lower bone density does have a lot to do with calcium in that the condition strips calcium from the bone leaving it frail. However drinking more milk and eating more dairy is not the answer. Our modern western lifestyles that are high in protein and dairy actually leaves our blood much more acidic than other people, this acidic blood strips calcium from the bone to equalize the bloods acid level but that calcium is not replaced. Unfortunately dairy food while high in calcium also increases the bloods acid levels making it of little benefit to someone already on the way to Osteoporosis.

To back this up there have been studies that have shown that people from traditionally low dairy diets in certain parts of the world do not suffer Osteoporosis to any great degree!

Osteoporosis Fact 3 - Osteoporosis is not genetic!

As with the last point we see that Osteoporosis is caused by conditions in our diet, not by the predisposition of our parents. Some people may be more at risk than others due to different body types but Osteoporosis is certainly a lifestyle condition more than anything else.

Osteoporosis Fact 4 - Osteoporosis is not about age!

Some people believe that Osteoporosis is just another part of getting old. While it is more noticeable in older people this is caused by a lifetime of problems that have led to the conditions that will show themselves later in life. The truth is that this condition is preventable with he right diet and exercise, especially weight bearing and resistance exercise that helps in bone development.

Osteoporosis Fact 5 - You can cure Osteoporosis!

Osteoporosis is not some disease that when you have it you must suffer it forever, it is a reversible condition! While prevention is easier and better than curing Osteoporosis building healthy bones from a low bone density base can be done by changing your lifestyle with diet and exercise!

Ramon

shermantank22000 asked:


I have been taking prescriptions meds for osteoporosis for 5 years. My bone density tests show no improvement, slight worsening of osteoporosis. My doctor says it’s severe. I have a medical condition called gastroesophageal reflux for which I take medication and the osteoporosis meds seem to affect my reflux, also I have not felt well generally since I’ve been on the meds for osteoporosis, i.e. aching muscles and bone pain. I take Calcium with Vitamin D - I drink milk - are there any herbal or over-the-counter natural products that would be just as good as prescription medications for osteoporosis?

Theodore

Peter Kent asked:


Avandia, a type 2 diabetes drug no more than 10 years old has been linked to several health risks among long-term users including heart disease and most recently an increased risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is when the bones lose density and are weakened becoming more prone to breaks and fractures. Osteoporosis is usually associated with the elderly population, which is why it becomes increasingly alarming to discover a link between Avandia users and osteoporosis.

Dangerous Avandia Side-Effects

Avandia is an oral anti-diabetic medication that has been associated with congestive heart failure, according to warnings released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Marketers of Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline, stand by their product and insist it is an important treatment for type 2 diabetes sufferers. The FDA placed yet another “black box” warning on the drug. One of the highest warnings given on a medication by the FDA is the black label warning, which Avandia currently has for its association with heart failure. The FDA has continually updated warnings for Avandia and its risk to users to cause heart failure, but no warning has yet to be placed on the drug for its alleged association with osteoporosis. But for those who are currently or have in the past taken the drug, contacting an attorney who can offer advice on how to receive probable compensation for the potentially irreversible damage is a wise decision.

Overcoming the Avandia Osteoporosis Risk

For users of Avandia as well as other type 2 diabetes drugs recently released on the market, it is advisable to speak with an experienced diabetes law firm who can offer advice on building a potential case and receiving compensation for having taken Avandia or other type 2 diabetes drugs, which may also cause the increased risk of osteoporosis. Diabetes is a dangerous and at times life threatening disease, which is why additional side effects can be imposing on a user. But the best way to overcome potential harm is to not only contact a doctor to better understand steps to protect yourself, but to contact a law firm and become aware of the latest news and findings.

Pedro

Michael Porteous asked:


They myth of Osteoporosis has been fleecing people for decades now especially middle aged women and older. This one Osteoporosis fact will help you see that the medications and “expert” advice you get is flawed and based off false assumptions and plain simple corporate greed!

Osteoporosis Fact - Low estrogen levels do not cause osteoporosis!

For many years the public and medical profession has been fed incorrect information about how Osteoporosis works and how it can be treated. By redefining the condition, meddling with statistics and withholding vital medical information from tests the big drug companies that had been looking for a way to sell their hormone replacement pills had found a new market.

By convincing the populace with a major marketing campaign the companies whose estrogen supplements had suffered a major loss as research showed it had major side effects with cancer being the major problem. Suddenly it seemed common knowledge that lack of Estrogen which occurs in older women after menopause was what caused low bone density!

This was not true but the marketing campaign backed by corrupt studies had everyone convinced so the sales of these products despite their risks skyrocketed.

There is in fact no proof that low estrogen levels causes Osteoporosis. Women from many cultures have been tested and it is found that older women from all over the world do suffer any major Osteoporosis problems on the whole.

Further research has shown that the real cause of Osteoporosis is in our lifestyle. By taking in too much protein from our western diets and not doing enough exercise, especially weight and resistance work we endanger our bones. Too much processed food, meat and even dairy products make our blood more acidic which can strip bones of the vital calcium to support it. This calcium cannot be replaced easily while the blood remains this toxic and so a cycle of bone degradation continues causing Osteoporosis.

The major Osteoporosis fact is that it is a lifestyle condition! The good news is it CAN be prevented and reversed as long as we know how to manage our body properly and have the discipline to make it work!

Nellie

Alien asked:


Osteoporosis is a disease of bone leading to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bone is altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in women as a bone mineral density 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass (20-year-old sex-matched healthy person average) as measured by DXA; the term “established osteoporosis” includes the presence of a fragility fracture.

How common is osteoporosis?

Women lose bone material more rapidly than men especially after the menopause when the level of oestrogen falls. Oestrogen is a female hormone and helps to protect against bone loss. By the age of 70 some women have lost 30% of their bone material. In the UK, about half of women and about 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will fracture a bone, many as a result of osteoporosis.

Types of Osteoporosis

The most common cause of osteoporosis is age. The older you get, the more bone loss you are likely to have, especially if you don’t take in enough calcium.

Osteoporosis also can be caused by diseases or other factors, such as:

* hormone problems

* poor diet

* certain medications

* too much smoking or drinking

Causes

The strength of your bones depends on their size and density; bone density depends in part on the amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals bones contain. When your bones contain fewer minerals than normal, they’re less strong and eventually lose their internal supporting structure.

Symptoms

There are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

Symptoms occurring late in the disease include:

* Fractures of the vertebrae, wrists, or hips (usually the first indication)

* Low back pain

* Neck pain

* Bone pain or tenderness

* Loss of height over time

* Stooped posture

Osteoporosis Treatment

Although osteoporosis has no cure, several types of medications are available to reduce the rate of bone loss, increase bone density, and reduce the number of fractures. In general, they work in two main ways: they lessen bone break down (anti-resorptive agents) or they stimulate the formation of new bone (anabolic agents).

Self-Care at Home

If you suspect that you have signs or symptoms of osteoporosis or have risk factors for osteoporosis, see your doctor for further evaluation and treatment.

Preventing osteoporosis

Both men and women can take steps from a young age to prevent osteoporosis by ensuring they:

* Have a healthy and varied diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains

* Eat calcium rich foods

* Absorb enough Vitamin D

* Avoid smoking

* Limit alcohol consumption

* Limit caffeine

* Do regular weight bearing and strength training activities.

Holly