Osteoporosis - Causes and Risk Factors

By Dr Jenny Tylee

Osteoporosis is the loss of bony tissue resulting in deformed and brittle bones. In osteoporosis the bones literally waste away as their mineral density is gradually lost, making them increasingly weak and fragile. This is a common cause of fractures in the elderly. Thinning of the bones leads to increased risk of fractures, particularly of the lumbar vertebrae, wrist, hip, shoulder and the femur, or thigh bone. It is possible to prevent and to treat osteoporosis.

However, you must take action. It is complete folly to depend on a wonder drug from orthodoxy. No magic medical cures exist and most medical management of this disease is very poor indeed, resulting in untold suffering and misery. In simple terms it is vital to avoid the causative factors in diet and lifestyle, ensure proper and balanced nutrients in your diet and obtain appropriate exercise.

It is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 worldwide have osteoporosis. To appreciate the broad risk profile of developing this disease consider the following factors that are associated with osteoporosis.

• Older age
• Caucasian or Asian race
• Low levels of estrogen (for women)
• Low levels of testosterone (for men)
• Early menopause - before 45 years (either natural or surgical)
• In young women, later menstruation and menstruation that has stopped for more than six months
• Family history of hip replacements
• Low body weight and thin to small build
• A loss of height or stooped posture
• Unexplained back pain
• Lack of exercise now or as a child
• Disabilities
• Long-term bed rest
• Excessive exercise
• Cigarette smoking
• Previous bone fracture
• Long term medication, including: corticosteroids heparin thyroxin antacids antibiotics and antifungals aspirin cholesterol lowering drugs ulcer medications
• High alcohol intake
• Diet that is low in calcium, zinc, vitamin D and magnesium
• High caffeine intake
• Eating disorders
• Chronic diseases of the kidney, lung, stomach and intestines, particularly malabsorption related conditions such as celiac disease.

As you can see from the list above there are many factors that can increase the risk, or likelihood, of developing this wasting disease. It can be as simple as consuming regular cola drinks. As reported in The Health Gazette, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that women who drink four or more cola beverages per week have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Consumption of carbonated soft drinks rose by 300 per cent in the US alone between 1960 and 1990 and cola drinks Coca-Cola and Pepsi remain two of the biggest-selling soft drink brands in the world. If you drink fizzy cola drinks and also consume coffee then right now is the time to improve your diet and lifestyle. The Health Gazette asked: What are you doing about osteoporosis? In that article we said: In the US, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, around 55 per cent of over 50s are at risk. That means around 44 million people. Of those, 10 million individuals are estimated to have the disease already and a further 34 million are estimated to have low bone mass. The peak time for building bone density in girls is between ages 12 to 19 years. Studies have reported that as high as 90% of girls in this age group do not even consume enough calcium. Sadly, this means a massive amount of suffering and disability will be with us for a very long time to come.

One myth that circulates is that osteoporosis is a disease of old women. In fact this disease affects men and women and although the disease tends to first cause signs and symptoms in later life, it does actually begin many years earlier. Perhaps you could evaluate your own situation with the following.

The one-minute risk test (adapted from the Osteoporosis Foundation)

Take the following test to gauge if you might have osteoporosis. If you answer yes to any of the following questions then you need to have the condition of your bones assessed.

• Have either of your parents broken a hip after a minor bump or fall?
• Have you broken a bone after a minor bump or fall?
• Have you taken cortisone tablets (cortisone, prednisone etc) for more than three months?
• Have you lost more than 3 cm (just over an inch) in height?
• Do you regularly drink alcohol?
• Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day?
• Do you frequently suffer from diarrhea (caused by problems such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease)?

For women:

• Did you undergo menopause before 45?
• Have your periods stopped for 12 months or more (other than because of pregnancy)?

For men:

• Have you ever suffered from: Impotence or lack of libido, or other symptom related to testosterone levels?

If you have assessed yourself as being at risk of having osteoporosis then apart from having the condition of your bones assessed you need to take action before it is too late. It is vital to avoid the causative factors in diet and lifestyle. Ensure that you take proper, balanced osteoporosis vitamin and mineral supplements (from healthproductssite.com/muscle-joint-bone-care.html) and that you obtain appropriate exercise. If you smoke you need to stop. If you smoke then Growerz.com can assist you as you quit. You need to cleanse your body of toxic material so that everything, including your bones and joints are able to work effectively.

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential, non contaminated essential vitamin and mineral supplements and many other methods, including herbal remedies. She also owns Healthy Living blog.

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Osteoporosis - Calcium and Protein-Rich Dairy Problem

By Dr Jenny Tylee

Osteoporosis is the loss of bony tissue resulting in deformed and brittle bones. In osteoporosis the bones literally waste away as their mineral density is gradually lost, making them increasingly weak and fragile. This is a common cause of fractures in the elderly. Thinning of the bones leads to increased risk of fractures, particularly of the lumbar vertebrae, wrist, hip, shoulder and the femur, or thigh bone. It is possible to prevent and to treat osteoporosis. However, you must take action. It is complete folly to depend on a wonder drug from orthodoxy. No magic medical cures exist and most medical management of this disease is very poor indeed, resulting in untold suffering and misery. In simple terms it is vital to avoid the causative factors in diet and lifestyle, ensure proper and balanced nutrients in your diet and obtain appropriate exercise.

One of the common mistakes made, when taking action against osteoporosis, is to increase the calcium by eating more dairy products. This is somewhat controversial however, there is increasing evidence that the removal of dairy products from the diet is important for maintaining health - including the health of your bones. Many people have been lead to believe that dairy products are our only reliable source of calcium. It is true that calcium in our bloodstream is essential for our health and it plays a critical role in blood clotting, muscle contraction, heartbeat maintenance and proper nerve function. About 99 percent of calcium (roughly three pounds) is stored in our bones and teeth, which rely upon the mineral for their strength. When needed, calcium is released from our bones into the blood.

Calcium is calcium, however, whether it's from broccoli or cottage cheese. "There's no best source of calcium," explains Robert Heaney, a professor with the Osteoporosis Research Center at Creighton University School of Medicine. "The sheer quantity of calcium in dairy products certainly makes them attractive sources, but they have no monopoly on calcium. There's no reason in the world why you couldn't get an adequate intake from a vegetable source." I agree with Dr Heaney that dairy is not essential but we would go further. Dairy has other adverse effects, some of which make it a very poor source of food for humans.

There is no clear evidence that high calcium intakes alone - even the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 800 mgs - can ensure bone health. Indeed throughout the world the people who consume the most calcium actually have the poorest bone health and the idea that dosing yourself with calcium will automatically keep your bones in good shape is just plain wrong.

The nations with the greatest calcium intake (because of high dairy consumption) have the highest rates of osteoporosis and hip fracture and there are relatively few fractures among populations where calcium levels (and dairy consumption) are not so high. Healthy bones require more than simply ingesting copious amounts of calcium-rich foods. Certainly, calcium intake is important, particularly during childhood, early adulthood and up to the age of 30 - 35 when our bones achieve their peak mass and stop growing. But retaining the calcium we've stored in our bones appears to be even more vital. This is particularly the case in our late 40s or so, when our bones begin to break down faster than they can be rebuilt. Indeed, research indicates that preventing calcium loss is actually three to four times more important in determining calcium balance (that is, whether we gain, maintain or lose calcium from our bones) than is calcium intake. And one of the greatest instigators of calcium loss is a high-protein diet. Pediatrician Charles Attwood, MD, suggests that "milk, with its excessive protein, may be part of the calcium problem instead of a solution." Protein, and especially protein from animal sources, makes our blood acidic, a condition the body attempts to remedy by drawing calcium, an alkaline mineral, from the bones. Eventually, this calcium is lost, flushed from the body in the urine.

Researchers who reviewed 16 studies examining the protein-calcium relationship found that when protein intake is above 75 grams per day, more calcium is lost in the urine than is retained in the body. Researchers speculate that this level of protein intake alone could account for the bone loss commonly seen in postmenopausal women!

The question of how much calcium is needed by the body remains - especially since the RDA for calcium is established higher than it otherwise would be in order to compensate for calcium losses due to high consumptions of protein. People worldwide develop and maintain strong bones on levels of calcium considerably below the 800 mg RDA. The World Health Organization recommends 400 - 500 mgs daily. However, because vegetarians generally have lower protein intakes and absorb and retain calcium better, they may have lower calcium needs.

For most people, the RDA can quite easily be fulfilled by eating a varied diet with at least several servings of calcium-rich (non-dairy) foods each day. Children, teens and young women should be especially careful to include these foods since their calcium needs are relatively high compared to others. Some people may choose to take bone protecting supplements as added insurance. Of course one advantage of meeting calcium needs with plant foods is that many are also excellent sources of antioxidants, fiber, folic acid, complex carbohydrates, iron and other important vitamins and minerals you won't find in milk products.

Although osteoporosis is both preventable and treatable a simple increase in calcium in the form of dairy products is not the answer. The consumption of calcium rich dairy products is a part of the problem and not a part of the cure.

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential, non contaminated vitamin and mineral supplements (from healthproductssite.com) and many other methods, including herbal remedies. She also owns Healthy Living blog.

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Ten Things You Should Know To Avoid Osteoporosis

By Ivan Hince

Osteoporosis is a crippling disease, which will make your bones brittle, causing fractures to occur. Each year thousands of people all over the world are likely to suffer this painful disease. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 worldwide have osteoporosis. It is responsible for millions of fractures annually, mostly involving the lumbar vertebrae, hip, and wrist.

As you see from the figures that women are likely to get Osteoporosis than men, which is due the hormone change after menopause.

Who’s at risk, and what to avoid.

There are many things you should avoid, and there are many things you can do to avoid problems yourself.

1. Stop Smoking. This goes for many complaints, and it has been proved to be one of the factors that can bring on Osteoporosis.
2. Top up your daily intake of Calcium, which will help in the maintenance of healthy teeth and bones.
3. Avoid to many fizzy drinks. Replace them with Calcium based drinks. (Milk etc)
4. Avoid too much alcohol.
5. Avoid over exercising. (Lifting over heavy weights.) One fact I have learnt is that Marathon runners tend to suffer in later years.
6. Avoid being to thin. Try to maintain some body fat, as skinny people do tend to suffer more.
7. Do some form of light exercise each day.
8. Make sure you have a daily intake of Vitamin D.
9. Control your diet. Make sure you get your daily intake of fresh fruit, and vegetables.
10. Always consult your Doctor should you think you have a problem, as I’m sure there are a lot of cases that never get mentioned, or get the help that there is to be had.

Footnote.

I should say at this point that Osteoporosis is not a killer, although it can be very painful for anyone that suffers. Having this disease can slow the bodies defense system down with pain, and that is when other complications set in. Things like Deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism are common, hence if you have a fracture of the hip you usually are operated on quickly.

There are no known cures although the Medical profession can help in many ways, and that is why I always recommend that you consult your Doctor.

Please note that I am not a Doctor, but I do have an interest in Alternative Medicine. To read more on Alternative Medicine please go to the following website. http://www.find-the-info.com/alternative.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ivan_Hince

Ten Things You Should Know To Avoid Osteoporosis

By Ivan Hince

Osteoporosis is a crippling disease, which will make your bones brittle, causing fractures to occur. Each year thousands of people all over the world are likely to suffer this painful disease. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 worldwide have osteoporosis. It is responsible for millions of fractures annually, mostly involving the lumbar vertebrae, hip, and wrist.

As you see from the figures that women are likely to get Osteoporosis than men, which is due the hormone change after menopause.

Who’s at risk, and what to avoid.

There are many things you should avoid, and there are many things you can do to avoid problems yourself.

1. Stop Smoking. This goes for many complaints, and it has been proved to be one of the factors that can bring on Osteoporosis.
2. Top up your daily intake of Calcium, which will help in the maintenance of healthy teeth and bones.
3. Avoid to many fizzy drinks. Replace them with Calcium based drinks. (Milk etc)
4. Avoid too much alcohol.
5. Avoid over exercising. (Lifting over heavy weights.) One fact I have learnt is that Marathon runners tend to suffer in later years.
6. Avoid being to thin. Try to maintain some body fat, as skinny people do tend to suffer more.
7. Do some form of light exercise each day.
8. Make sure you have a daily intake of Vitamin D.
9. Control your diet. Make sure you get your daily intake of fresh fruit, and vegetables.
10. Always consult your Doctor should you think you have a problem, as I’m sure there are a lot of cases that never get mentioned, or get the help that there is to be had.

Footnote.

I should say at this point that Osteoporosis is not a killer, although it can be very painful for anyone that suffers. Having this disease can slow the bodies defense system down with pain, and that is when other complications set in. Things like Deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism are common, hence if you have a fracture of the hip you usually are operated on quickly.

There are no known cures although the Medical profession can help in many ways, and that is why I always recommend that you consult your Doctor.

Please note that I am not a Doctor, but I do have an interest in Alternative Medicine. To read more on Alternative Medicine please go to the following website. http://www.find-the-info.com/alternative.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ivan_Hince

Diagnosing Osteoporosis - Get The Picture

By Jeff Foster

Diagnosing osteoporosis is an important health initiative that must be taken seriously since the health cost associated with an inaccurate or a missed diagnosis can be costly in the arena of health consequences for years to come.

When diagnosing osteoporosis it is important to determine if the osteoporosis is of a primary or a secondary nature as the treatment is different for each cause.

Secondary osteoporosis is related to the fact that something else is causing the development of osteoporosis, for example, collagen disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta, and Marfan's syndrome, bone marrow disorders such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, or even chronic alcohol use, or endocrine disorders such as, Cushing's disease, diabetes, or a hyperthyroidism.

When diagnosing osteoporosis the best test on the market today is the DEXA scan. This test takes about 10 minutes to perform, is completely painless, and is associated with very limited radiation exposure. The DEXA scan passes the x-rays through the bones of either the hip, the spine or the wrist to assess its density.

The results of the tests are then compared to the normal baseline of the young adult population as well as to the age and gender control groups. The DEXA scan will be able to determine if you are at a higher risk for sustaining a fracture.

DEXA scans are recommended for all women over the age of 65, postmenopausal women under the age of 65 who have multiple risk factors, patients who have endured long-term oral corticosteroid use, and patients with a hyperparathyroidism.

Diagnosing osteoporosis is a fairly simple thing to do for any health care practitioner. It is also a critical piece of your healthcare puzzle.

A complete history and physical along with appropriate bone scans can help your physician to determine if you have osteoporosis.

For more important information on back pain, causes of back pain, back pain relief, and more, visit http://www.0-backpain.com where you'll find articles and information on what causes and relieving your back pain.

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Diagnosing Osteoporosis - Solving The Broken Bones Mystery

By Jeff Foster

Osteoporosis can occur when there is a loss of bone density and strength due to a variety of factors.

Osteoporosis may be related to aging, certain types of medications, or other health related conditions. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is often made while diagnosing a fracture.

It is important that osteoporosis is diagnosed early so that accurate and aggressive treatment management can occur in order to reach the best outcome.

Not only the financial cost but the health costs associated with a missed diagnosis of or even an inaccurate diagnosis of osteoporosis can be very high. The health consequences associated with an inaccurate or omitted diagnosis of osteoporosis can be seen for years to come.

When initially diagnosed saying osteoporosis, your physician must make the determination of whether the osteoporosis is a primary or secondary diagnosis. Primary osteoporosis means it that the diagnosis is a stand-alone diagnosis, meaning that there is no other health issue that is causing it.

However, with a secondary diagnosis of osteoporosis this means that there is another health condition which is causing the osteoporosis. Some other health conditions which can lead to a secondary diagnosis of osteoporosis include conditions such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism, osteogenesis imperfecta, and even Marfan's syndrome.

The best medical test on today’s market for diagnosing osteoporosis is the DEXA scan. Considered the gold standard by many healthcare providers, the DEXA scan is completely painless for patients and only takes about 10 minutes to perform. The scan uses limited amounts of radiation to scan the bones of the wrist, the spine or the hip to assess general bone density.

This can help your physician to make a definitive diagnosis of osteoporosis as well as help your physician to determine if compared to others in your age and gender control group you have a higher risk of developing an osteoporosis related fracture.

Diagnosing osteoporosis is a fairly straightforward procedure that your general healthcare provider can handle. But even though it is an easy diagnosis to make, it is one that is critical to your overall health.

So as you age and particularly if you are female or if you have other health conditions that put you at risk for osteoporosis, make sure that you work closely with your physician to make sure that you are appropriately screened for osteoporosis.

Diagnosing osteoporosis is one diagnosis that you can’t afford for your healthcare provider to miss.

For more important information on back pain, causes of back pain, back pain relief, and more, visit http://www.0-backpain.com where you'll find articles and information on what causes and relieving your back pain

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Osteoporosis Prevention - Fruits & Veggies Protect You From Osteoporosis

By Robert A. Barnett

Want to bolster your bones? Yes, calcium matters, as does weight-bearing exercise such as walking. But other powerful bone builders are lurking in your local market’s produce aisles. “A high fruit and vegetable intake is associated with improved bone mass,” says Felicia Cosman, M.D., clinical director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, based in Washington, D.C.

This “produce effect” has been found in population studies in the U.S., England and Japan. It’s true in men and women, in teenagers and octogenarians: People who eat the most fruits and vegetables have the highest bone density. Higher bone density, in turn, is linked to a lower risk of osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that affects 10 million

Americans, with another 34 million at risk. Older women are particularly vulnerable.

What’s so peachy about produce? Fruits and vegetables are rich in many bone-strengthening nutrients that fight osteoporosis, such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin K and vitamin C. An even more powerful benefit: “They may neutralize some of the acids in the body that lead to a higher rate of bone breakdown,” says Dr. Cosman.

When we digest animal foods, whether it’s a burger or broiled chicken, we produce acid. To counteract the acid, our bodies pull the mineral calcium—which is alkaline—out of our bones and into the bloodstream. Since produce, on the whole, is already alkaline, eating it balances acids and calcium stays in the bones.

To get the optimal benefit, though, you’ll need plenty. “We recommend nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day based on a 2,000 calorie diet, but Americans are getting less than half of that,” says Duke University Medical Center’s Pao-Hwa Lin, Ph.D., a researcher with an ongoing group of studies known as DASH. The so-called DASH diet (known for helping to lower high blood pressure) calls for two or three servings of low-fat dairy and two servings of lean protein and heaping helpings of produce per day. Recent studies show that DASH also helps prevent heart disease, lowers risk factors for type 2 diabetes—and builds bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Can you eat nine a day? It’s easier than you think. A serving is only half a cup of cooked vegetable; pile your plate with a cup and a half of broccoli, and you’ve got three servings. The key, says Lin, is variety: “The next time you go to the market, try something new. I eat about ten different types of vegetables on a regular basis—and all kinds of fruit.”

So eat your fill of tasty fruits and veggies to prevent osteoporosis. Your bones will thank you for it!

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Robert A. Barnett is a writer for MediZine, LLC. Robert A. Barnett is Content Director of HealthyUpdates.com, a health education website produced by MediZine, LLC.

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Osteoporosis - Bone Disease That Silently Robs Your Bones

By Patricia Weber

When you look in the mirror, it doesn’t come into view. Just imagine, you could be twenty, thirty, forty or older and it could afflict you. People who look at you don’t see it. When it does finally surface on the outside for any human eye to see, the harm may be irreversible. The scary part is the external warning of osteoporosis is silent while inside the body is clamoring for help.

Many women rate turning fifty as a positively high experience. I once looked forward to the celebration. The inner peace that comes with this proclaimed turning point is chafed only by my recent diagnosis of osteopenia. Osteopenia is the beginning phase of osteoporosis. Any age is too young for this disease.

My hope of naturally preventing further bone density loss and even reversibility is to not take drugs for the rest of my life. I prefer to walk around straight and stand short at 5 foot 2 inches. Unbelievably my new gynecologist reported my height at one inch less than just a short thirty years ago. My fear is that only a life sentence to some prescription drug will be the answer. Most of my anger is, “I wish I knew then what I know now.” The rest of the anger is of closed and under-educated minds in a medical society that takes the Hippocratic oath.

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH
For almost 2 years I asked my gynecologist to prescribe a bone density test for me. He tried to appease me by dismissing my concerns of what I was reading. “You're too young; you needn't worry about this.” But, the risk factors in health magazine articles were consistent. Finally he respected my request.

BE HUNGRY TO LEARN
Can you imagine knowing more about the reading of a medical test of this nature than your doctor? It was inconceivable, but true. The results revealed I was in the beginning stages of the precursor to osteoporosis; something called osteopenia. The test results read similar to what I found in the book The Osteoporosis Cure by Harris McIlwain, MD and Debra Fulghum Bruce. My doctor immediately wrote up a prescription for me. It was for a drug with known possible side effects including breast cancer. He was not interested in hearing about my plan for first trying one year of an alternative program to include more exercise, added soy products and increased calcium supplements. The potential, natural approach to prevent and reverse bone density loss lies in a number of year-round daily routines.

AT LEAST DO THE MOST IMPORTANT EXERCISE
Walking is healthy for both the body and the mind. The outside pleasurable venture is a time to soak in sunshine and nature with cooperative weather. The treadmill is a more repetitive, boring journey to a healthy body but it is tolerable. Weight lifting eventually pays off with a lean looking body besides helping the skeleton. Weight bearing exercise, including a suggestion from what one woman with severe osteo told me: when in a standing position, as often as possible, put all your weight on just one foot. Every step or skip or jump you take tells your bones to bring in some calcium from somewhere in your body. For the longest time the added benefit of keeping my bones strong was not high on my intention of the activities. Some things change. For one there are no options now. I hate not having options. Daily exercise, including weight lifting is a necessity.

EAT AND DRINK CALCIUM
Remember when your mom said, “Drink all your milk?” Profound and simple wisdom. Calcium, along with a variety of vitamins and minerals that activate the absorption of the calcium, is part of my daily diet. Calcium on its own is not enough. It needs at a minimum, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium and zinc. Those chocolate chews Viactiv™ ease the pill popping dilemma. All this and more, is essential for the building of our bone structure until we are 30. After 30 or so it seems our body finds difficulty in building and even weakens in maintaining calcium. I wish this information and even more was rampant 20 years ago. If you know you can choose life with or without a straight jacket, what would you choose? More than what you probably want to know about all these vitamins and minerals is found in Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis by Alan R. Gaby, MD.

DON'T DISMISS PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
If drugs didn’t have a part in the creation, why would they need to have anything to do with sustaining? I’ve always held physicians in high esteem for their technical expertise. Sometimes their bedside manner is an added bonus in the relationship. But, what good is having a doctor near your bedside if they can only sing you to sleep by singing loudly and off key in your ears? When you ask questions of your long trusted doctor and he or she says, “Gee I’ve never heard of that,” the discomfort is frightening. Yes, I would rather have more of the questions, yet I’m wanting the doctor to have more of the answers. The thing they tend to do best is rush to hand you a pre-written prescription for some drug. I fired my gynecologist of almost 20 years. I found an internal medicine doctor, who also does the gynecological tests, on recommendation. She is more current in her information, education and cautiousness to prescribe drugs.

I correspond with several women diagnosed with osteoporosis who took the natural way to bone rebuilding. For all 6 or so of them, a year later none, not one, reported that it worked. A drug prescription is now their life sentence. Yet, there is a recent study of women adding 50 high jumps a day into their exercise. The results increased bone density in all ages of women. One year later, on reading about the study again, it turns out you need to wear a weighted vest to achieve better results.

I’ve discovered osteoporosis is the story for millions of women, yet you don’t have to honor the gathering with your presence. What makes me the angriest is its highly probable I could have prevented or at least minimized all this. You can prevent and reverse your skeletal life structure from collapsing when you begin to take charge of your own health and when you begin early in adulthood, age 30 or so. Fear and anger don’t have to make an unexpected visit. If it’s not too late for you, bone-up on the facts! (pun intended) While there’s still time, you may want to make some easy changes.

Copyright© Patricia Weber, http://www.prostrategies.com.

America’s #1 Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant who sell, Pat Weber, helps you effortlessly get the business you want.

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Osteoporosis And The Loss Of Bone Density

By Jeff Foster

Osteoporosis is a health condition suffered by many today of which the hallmark is the loss of the normal bone density and the subsequent fragility of the skeletal bones.

Because of the loss of or the reduction in the bone density in the original skeletal structure, the skeletal bones lose their strength putting the osteoporotic bones at a much higher risk for fracture.

But osteoporosis leads to bones that look like a sponge. These bones are abnormally porous and begin in the worst-case situations to look a lot like Swiss cheese. Osteoporosis weakens the entire skeletal system and puts the sufferer at great risk for bone fracture.

The morbidity associated with bone fractures in the aging population is quite high.

The anecdotal stories recalled time and time again of senior citizens failing to ever really recover from a bone fracture seem to point as clear evidence of the high morbidity of skeletal fractures.

With osteoporosis bone fracture easily.

In fact a minor fall or simple injury that in the majority of the population might only cause a bump or bruise, but in a person suffering from osteoporosis it can lead to a severe fracture.

The wrist, hips, and spine are the most common locations of osteoporosis-related bone fractures; however, osteoporosis-related fractures can also develop in almost any skeletal bone area.

Normal bone is composed of the collagen, calcium, and protein. But with osteoporosis these are no longer well represented.

Fractures associated with osteoporosis can be in the form of a collapse such as in the case with a compression fracture of the vertebrae in the spine or it can be a fracture in the form of a crack such as when you see a complete hip fracture.

While treatment options are more readily available, the key to osteoporosis is prevention. Once a break occurs the ramifications of that will be with you for life.

It seems currently that women have a higher incidence of osteoporosis. This is thought to be related to the many hormonal changes experienced by a woman during her lifetime.

Osteoporosis is a preventable disease.

The morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis is something that must be taken seriously.

Make sure that you see your health care provider on a yearly basis in order to have a current assessment about the status of your bone density particularly if you are a woman over the age of 35.

For more important information on back pain, causes of back pain, back pain relief, and more, visit http://www.0-backpain.com where you'll find articles and information on what causes and relieving your back pain

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Protect Yourself From Osteoporosis

By Jeffrey Wendland

Osteoporosis is a common disease. In America, it affects approximately one in nine. That works out to 28 million people, with of them being women over middle age. While some bone loss is inevitable as we age, there are precautions we can take to protect our bones and reduce bone loss and the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become weak or brittle and are much more prone to breaking. If not prevented or treated, it can lead to easily broken bones, especially that of the wrist, hips and spine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 90 percent of American women are calcium deficient on a daily basis. Being deficient in calcium puts you at risk for gum disease, menstrual cramping, depression, insomnia and down the road it can lead to osteoporosis. So it is clearly important for us to be aware of how much Calcium we eat. We need to try and eat more foods rich in calcium and add calcium to the diet as supplements.

Some of the foods which are rich in calcium are dairy products of nearly all kinds, greens such as turnip, bock choy, mustard and broccoli, oysters, blackstrap molasses, almonds and even some mineral waters.

It is important to note that some of the foods we eat have natural inhibitors to Calcium absorption. Foods like spinach, sorrel, rhubarb, and dandelion greens contain oxalic acid which binds to calcium to form calcium oxalate, which is indigestible.

Grains can also interfere with calcium absorption. Phytic acid is found in grains and this is a phophoruslike compound that combines with calcium in the intestines and blocks its absorption. Most people do not need to worry too much about this unless you are eating a very high carbohydrate diet.

There are also nutrients that will enhance the absorption of calcium. Magnesium helps with calcium metabolism and in transporting calcium in to bones and soft tissues. Magnesium is also important for preventing calcium oxalate crystals from forming which is what kidney stones are made from.

There are also vitamins which are important for calcium absorption. Vitamin C is one calcium enhancer. But more importantly, Vitamin D is vital for calcium being transformed into a usable form by increasing calcium absorption in the small intestines and retention by the kidneys.

There are trace elements that enhance calcium absorption. Boron maintains calcium and magnesium levels by aiding the body in it’s synthesize with both estrogen and vitamin D. Silicon is also important. Silicon helps to support calcium in the maintenance and growth of bones and joints.

Estrogen plays an integral role in the body’s use of calcium. Estrogen both increases calcium absorption and decreases its urinary excretion.

Exercise is one of the most important things that can be done to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Bones grow stronger with physical stress. Weight bearing exercise is the most important form of exercise to protect your bones. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that women who exercise twice a week have denser bones than those who exercise once a week, which in turn have denser bones than those who never exercise at all. Even sedentary postmenopausal women increased bone mass by 5 percent after nine months of an exercise program and a high-calcium diet.

We can conclude that if you want protect your bones, exercise and proper diets and supplements will be important for your health. Choosing the right supplement can be difficult with so many products out there. Many experts believe that postmenopausal women need up to 1,500 mg of calcium daily. When looking for a calcium supplement look for one that is also high in magnesium. You will also want to either find one with Vitamin D already in it, or take a separate D at a minimum of 400 I.U.

Isn’t it now time that you take action and prevent yourself from the risks of osteoporosis? Consult your physician for advice on starting an exercise plan if you are not already doing so. And look for a quality calcium/magnesium supplement to protect your bones so that you can enjoy a healthy, active life in your later years.

The Author of this article pubsishes the natural health and blog http://www.jeffshealthyliving.com/blog and the fitness and weight loss blog at http://www.christianweightcontrol.com/blog

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What Causes Osteoporosis and Ten Changes You Can Make to Reduce Your Risk of Osteoporosis

By John Mericle M.D.

Ten Simple Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Reduce Your Risk for Osteoporosis

• Stop or decrease your meat intake.
• Stop or decrease your dairy intake.
• Decrease or eliminate sugar from your diet.
• Cut back on processed foods.
• Eliminate highly acid vinegars.
• Decrease or stop caffeine.
• Stop smoking.
• Cut back or eliminate alcohol consumption.
• Start a weight bearing exercise program.
• Get plenty of sunshine or supplement vitamin D.

“The myth that osteoporosis is caused by calcium deficiency was created to sell dairy products and calcium supplements. There's no truth to it. American women are among the biggest consumers of calcium in the world, and they still have one of the highest levels of osteoporosis in the world. And eating even more dairy products and calcium supplements is not going to change that fact.” - Dr. John McDougall

Discussion:

The ingestion of milk causes the blood to become acid ie -pH less than the normal 7.43. The body corrects this via the calcium phosphate balance which requires mobilization of additional calcium into the bloodstream to correct the acidosis. This calcium is obtained by removing it from the bones. Thus, it is no surprise that milk causes a total body calcium loss. This is not new information and is well discussed with reference to the original studies in John Robbins's book "Diet for a New America."

Amazing as it sounds, the ash (residue) from any animal protein that finds its way to the bloodstream is so acid that the homeostatic mechanisms of the body that maintain the pH of the blood at 7.43 are immediately invoked. The prime mechanism to accomplish this (as noted above) is the calcium / phosphate balance in the bloodstream. Since calcium acts as a base (can correct an acid condition of the blood) the body pulls calcium from the bone to offset or correct the acidosis caused by the acid residue from the animal protein (this includes dairy/milk).

Over time the continuing ingestion of animal protein leads to significant loss of bone mineralization and eventually clinical osteoporosis. Ingesting more calcium is a very simplistic approach that more often than not does not help. The problem is that supplemental calcium seldom finds its way to the bloodstream and the body will continue to remove calcium from the bone since this is the pathway that mother nature has established.

As a diagnostic radiologist I had many an occasion to see calcium tablets of all varieties totally undissolved on abdominal radiographs. Treating osteoporosis with additional calcium is like replacing the wood in a termite infested house without eradicating the termites. The only effective (and extremely simple) answer is to just not consume animal protein. One of the other complications of the increased mobilization of calcium is kidney stones. The incidence of kidney stones is considerably increased in those who consume animal protein.

The Bantu women, who are exclusively vegan and live off of a completely plant based diet in central Africa, get less than 350 mg of calcium in their daily diet. Yet, there is no osteoporosis in these women since they do not ingest any animal protein. This is also true for many women in the more remote portions of mainland China.

All the new imaging devices for measuring bone density are really a large technological waste of time and money. If you consume animal protein you are at risk for osteoporosis -period. Just take some of the money you would spend to have your bone density measured and go out and buy some good organic veggies. You and your bones will love you for it.

Osteoporosis is not gender specific. Although more women than men are affected, men also have osteoporosis. I once knew an Ultrasound technician in his thirties who had osteoporosis.

Recipes:

The following recipes are good sources of calcium from totally natural sources as well as recipes that avoid the foods that cause osteoporosis. For those of you outside of the US the need for organic foods is not as critical since the destructive commercial farming practices here have not reached the rest of the world -yet. This is especially true in Europe where a tomato, I am told, still tastes like a tomato.

Black bean burritos, tostadas and tacos.

Prepare some organic black beans refried style as in the MericleDiet or however you like to prepare your beans. Obtain some organic tortillas, taco or tostada shells. Drop some refried beans into or onto one of the above and add some chopped lettuce, cabbage or onions. Black beans and onions really make a good burrito. Wrap the tortilla around your filling and garnish with salsa and maybe some more cabbage or lettuce. If you like, you can fry the burrito to make what we used to call a "Cindy Special" from an old Mexican restaurant here in Tucson. The frying is however not without its caloric burden, although it makes for a real taste treat.

Other good sources of calcium are organic kale, collards, broccoli, bok choy and tofu.

A fresh spinach salad makes a nice addition to this meal and a lot of organic greens really are excellent sources of calcium that the body can utilize. I have been told that, although spinach is high in calcium, it is also high in oxalic acid which is alleged to bind the calcium thus limiting its absorption. However spinach is still a good bet since it has been shown to retard the development of macular degeneration.

Summary:

Osteoporosis is not a disease of calcium absorption but is a proactive disease caused by ingesting foods that upset the acid/base balance of the body thus requiring calcium to be slowly but constantly leached from your bones in order to keep the blood (pH) normal (7.43). No amount of ingested calcium will correct the problem as long as one continues to destroy their bones by eating the wrong foods. The answer is to simply stop the destruction of your bones by significantly reducing or completely stopping the ingestion of animal protein.

We hope you find this informative. Please stay tuned for the next newsletter that will cover sugar, vitamin C, insulin, your white blood cells, your immune system and the very interesting subject of competitive inhibition or -how much vitamin C should I take? To sign up for the MericleDiet Newsletter / Dr. Mericle Health Tips please follow the link below:

http://www.DrMericle.com

One last quote:

"In the next 10 to 15 years, one of the things you're bound to hear is that animal protein ... is one of the most toxic nutrients of all that can be considered . Risk for disease goes up dramatically when even a little animal protein is added to the diet." T. Colin Campbell Ph.D. (Author of The China Study).

Remember the Bantu women.

The MericleDiet.

The MericleDiet is a completely vegan, 100% Sugar Free and 100% Organic easy to follow diet. It is actually more of a lifestyle than a diet as you never feel deprived or restricted. It also will keep your bone density at the best it can be. Your bones will love you for it. To visit just follow the link below:

http://www.DrMericle.com

Copyright 2005 J. Mericle M.D. All Rights Reserved

http://www.DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.

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Understanding Osteoporosis

By Riana D Lance

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that weakens bones, enhancing the danger of sudden and unexpected fractures. Literally, Osteoporosis means ‘porous bones’. The pores develop in bones after an extensive loss of bone mass. The disorder is mainly linked to the aging process, although it can affect people of any age. The disease is more prevalent among women, particularly the menopausal women, but it occurs among men as well.

Osteoporosis is of two types:

Primary osteoporosis: This commonly occurs in women of age 50 to 65 years, i.e., menopausal/postmenopausal woman. Men after age 75 may also develop it.

Secondary osteoporosis: This may occur among young, middle-aged people and the older people as well. Some of the common causes of secondary osteoporosis include:

• Medications like corticosteroids
• Anorexia nervosa, a self-inflicted starvation which leads to malnutrition
• Too much of workouts – among women who indulge in too much of exercises, estrogen production may cease, which may lead to osteoporosis.

Causes of Osteoporosis

Bones are made up of bone tissues and minerals. The process of bone formation is an ever-going process, with each of the old bone in our body being replaced by a new one in about hundred days. However, when the bone tissues and minerals are lost more rapidly than they are replenished, osteoporosis occurs. Lack of adequate amount of bone tissues and minerals forms pores in the bones, the characteristic of this disease.

Until twenties, the bones are built faster than they are broken down; consequently, when you are around 30 years, your bone density is maximum. Osteoporosis is actually linked to how much maximum bone density you acquire (by age 30) and how much of bone loss you will undergo in your middle and old age. The greater is your bone mass acquired early in life, the lesser are your chances to get osteoporosis. For the coming 15-20 years after the age of 30 years, the rate of bone loss and that of rebuilding is almost alike, thus, the bone density continues to be similar during these years. However, beyond the age 45-55 years, the breakdown of bones exceeds their building up reducing their densities. Among women, the bone loss is fastest after menopause when the decline in estrogen levels, while among men, the boss accelerates after age 65, when the levels of the hormone testosterone fall.

Thus, among the factors that cause osteoporosis are:
• Deficiency of the hormones (estrogen in women and testosterone in men)
• Nutritional deficiencies, especially of calcium and vitamin D
• Sedentary lifestyle with a lack of physical activity. Exercise or any kind of physical activity has been found to increase bone mass and hence reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

About the author: Riana Lance has a deep concern on health. Grasp her other motivational health tips at Health News, a worth-to-visit daily updated blog. Also check Her Other websites and more.

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Osteoporosis Prevention - Information on How to Prevent Osteoporosis and Cause of this Disease

Unfortunately, osteoporosis treatments are few and have a very low success rate, this is why osteoporosis prevention should not be taken lightly.

Osteoporosis is considered an invisible disease and is the twelfth leading cause of death in America.

It is invisible because it progresses without any obvious symptoms until the physical changes start to show up. Slowly you are shrinking, you are starting to stoop down, irreversible pain and you are prone to bone fractures. A fracture could happen without you falling or hitting something.

One solution for osteoporosis is to do some weight bearing exercises to develop strong, dense bones. Also the intake of calcium and other essential minerals throughout life should not be ignored.

What is the cause of osteoporosis?

Our bones undergo a continual process wherein the old bone is replaced by the new bone. This process is called remodeling.

The problem occurs when the removal of old bone occurs faster at a faster rate than the depositing of new bone which is called bone resorption.

Women are at a greater risk for developing osteoporosis mainly because of small bone structure and hormonal changes that accompany menopause.

It's crucial to take calcium supplements at different stages of life. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D are required during childhood and adolescence to develop strong and dense bones.

During the middle years, however, the need for calcium supplements is supported by the fact that calcium loss exceeds calcium gain to bones.

To prevent osteoporosis, you may consider drinking high quality green tea throughout the day -- everyday. It has the ability to reduce excessive resorption.

Green tea also contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, B2, D, K, and carotenoids as well as chromium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, sodium, phosphorus, strontium, cobalt, nickel, and potassium, to name a few in addition to polyphenols particularly catechins and EGCG.

Polyphenols although can be found in garlic, fruits, and potatoes are not as strong and as remarkable as the polyphenols found in green tea.

In the Mediterranean Osteoporosis Study, it was identified that drinking green tea is a key factor to prevent osteoporosis.

Mary Rose Antonio is a physical therapist for 20 years now and is a great believer in natural healing. She invites you to learn more about the amazing benefits of green tea. Find out more information on japanese green tea and chinese green tea

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3 Main Symptoms of Osteoporosis

By Riana D Lance

Osteoporosis generally develops without any apparent symptoms and therefore is referred to as ‘silent disease’. A few of the symptoms that do arise generally emerge only in the advanced stages. People normally do not become aware of the disease being cropping up, unless their bones turn out to be so weak that a light bump or a fall leads to a fracture or collapse of a vertebra. Some people may also develop stooped posture, loss height or severe have back pain when the disease is in its advanced stage.

Fractures

These are generally the first symptom of osteoporosis. The bones become too weak to support the body so they break even by a light bump or a moderate strain. Although this disease affects all bones of the body, the most susceptible ones include spine, followed by hips, which is followed by wrist.

A spinal crush fracture, which involves crumbling or collapse of a vertebra is extremely painful and can result in deformed posture.

Stooped Posture and Loss of Height

Although most people believe that stooped posture and loss of height occur because of aging, they are actually avertable symptoms of osteoporosis. The loss of height most often occurs because of "compression fractures" in the spine, which in turn, arise when weak bone tissues of the vertebrae give way. These weak vertebrae can collapse even by coughing or sneezing, resulting in a sudden, unbearable pain. Over a certain period, these fractures lead to stooped posture, humpy back or loss of as much as 6 inches of height.

Acute or Chronic Back Pain

Your upper body is connected to your pelvis and legs by the lower spine. Your lower spine is one, which confers you the capability to turn, bend, lift or twist. It also supports most of the weight of your body while you stand. Hence, this is the region, which is always under maximum stress and also most susceptible to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis of this region causes sharp and unbearable pain.

Thus, the consequences of osteoporosis are often intolerable and debilitating. The good news is that osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable condition. The need is to educate yourself about how to make better your bone health and keep away from the risks of osteoporosis.

About the author: Riana Lance has a deep concern on health. Grasp her other motivational health tips at Health News. Also check Her Other websites and more.

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Calcium Sources to Help Reduce the Risk of Osteoporosis

By Connie Limon

To help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis most physicians encourage women to eat fat-free and low-fat dairy products. Dairy products are rich in calcium. In the disease of osteoporosis the bone loses calcium and becomes less dense, which can cause the bones to break more easily.

To be certain of just how much calcium a woman needs should be determined by her physician. In general, most women should aim to consumer between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day.

Other good sources of calcium enriched foods include eating green vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli, and some legumes and soybean products.

The American Heart Association recommends:

• Choosing 2 – 3 servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy products for adults
• Children should have two or more services of fat-free or low-fat dairy products
• Teenagers and older adults should have four services of fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

For dessert or snacks, choose ice milk, frozen or fruited low-fat or nonfat yogurt, sherbet, sorbet or low-fat puddings.

Other good sources of calcium foods are:

• Fat-free, zero-fat, no-fat or nonfat milk
• ½-1% low-fat or light milk
• Nonfat or low-fat dry milk powder
• Evaporated fat-free milk
• Buttermilk made from fat-free or 1% fat milk
• Fat-free or low-fat yogurt
• Frozen fat-free or low-fat yogurt
• Drinks made with fat-free or 1% fat milk and cocoa (or other low-fat drink powders)
• Low-fat cheese (dry-curd or low-fat, cottage cheese, low-fat natural cheeses or processed cheeses mad with nonfat or low-fat milk with no more than 3 grams of fat per ounce and more than 2 grams of saturated fat per ounce)
• Fat-free or low-fat ice cream (no more than 3 grams of fat per ½ cup serving)

At the present time scientists do not have enough information to know whether or not calcium intake affects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Source: American Heart Association

Disclaimer: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. (written 2-2007)

Author: Connie Limon. Please visit our collection of Nutrition and Health Articles at http://nutritionandhealthhub.com Articles are FREE as reprints to your newsletters, website or blog. Please sign up for our weekly nutrition and health tips.

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6 Ways to Prevent Osteoporosis

By John Goh

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops slowly. Osteoporosis causes your bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Here is a summary of 6 preventive measures you can take to prevent osteoporosis.

1. Do regular weight-bearing exercise

Muscle pulling on bone builds bone, so weight-bearing exercise builds denser, stronger bones. The exercises also improve your posture. Exercising the back muscles helps the whole body become more upright.

The best exercises for building bone include weight-lifting, jogging, hiking, stair-climbing, step aerobics, dancing, racquet sports, and other activities that require your muscles to work against gravity. Swimming and walking, although good for cardiovascular fitness, are not the best exercises for building bone.

2. Go for a bone mineral density test

A Bone Mineral Density test (BMD) is the only way to diagnose osteoporosis and determine your risk for future fracture. Since osteoporosis can remain undetected for decades until a fracture occurs, early diagnosis is important.

A BMD measures the density of your bones or your bone mass. The test determines whether you need medication to help maintain your bone mass, prevent further bone loss and reduce fracture risk.

3. Take enough calcium in your diet

Inadequate calcium intake is known to contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Taking calcium from diary products is over-rated though as our bodies were never designed to take in the milk of cows.

Depending on your age, an appropriate calcium intake falls between 1000 and 1300 mg a day. Avoid phytic acid, oxalic acid and sodium as they affect your body’s ability to absorb calcium.

4. Get enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium from the foods you eat. Vitamin D comes from two sources: through the skin following direct exposure to sunlight and from the diet. An exposure of 10 to 15 minutes of sun for at least two times per week is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D. If you cannot get sunlight, vitamin D can be derived from foods like salmon, mackerel, tuna and egg yolk.

5. Take ample fruits and vegetables

Take five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A recent study found that women who consumed 3.5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily had greater bone density than those who did not. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of magnesium and potassium, two major nutrients that protect bones besides calcium and vitamin D.

6. Change your cooking oil to coconut oil

Coconut oil has been used to treat people that have deficiency in calcium. Coconut oil enhances the absorption and retention of minerals like calcium and magnesium. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil been used to treat children suffering from rickets, which is a condition that involves demineralisation and softening of the bones.

The free radicals from oxidized vegetable oils interfere with bone formation, promoting the development of osteoporosis. The saturated fats in coconut oil act as anti-oxidants that protect the bones from destructive free radicals. That is why one should avoid processed vegetable oils and use coconut oil for cooking instead.

Protect your immune system and nourish your health with virgin coconut oil, Go to:

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