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.

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

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

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

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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