Articles
Register for Diet May Play Large Role in Preventing Osteoporosis
Jennifer Wider, M.D.
Society for
Women's Health Research
June 1, 2009
Osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones and makes them more likely to
break, affects millions and millions of Americans each year. It affects women
much more often than men and is more common in older people.
The good news is that it can be prevented and treated. Many experts recommend
eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercising and avoiding alcohol and
cigarette smoke, as strong preventative measures.
A new study from Purdue University finds that dairy has an inherent advantage
over calcium carbonate, the most common type of calcium used in supplements.
“The study shows that dairy builds bigger and stronger bones during growth when
compared with calcium carbonate,” says Connie Weaver, PhD, lead researcher and
professor at the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University in West
Lafayette, Indiana.
At early ages, children are told by their parents to drink their milk. Between
the ages of 9 and 18, people require 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day for
optimal bone growth. Unfortunately, a significant portion of kids don’t get
enough calcium. Oftentimes, supplements are used to make up the difference, but
there has been no study, before this one, comparing the bone growth from
supplements and dairy products. The results favor dairy products.
“The best thing women can do is build strong bones when they are young and then
hold onto it for as long as they can with good diets and weight bearing
exercise,” says Weaver.Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis
than others, so it is important to pay attention to risk factors. The list
includes:
Being female
Increasing age
Family history of osteoporosis
Thin or small body frames
Long-term use of corticosteroids
Personal history of eating disorders or amenorrhea
Sedentary lifestyle
Low estrogen levels
“Osteoporosis affects women more than men because women achieve a lower peak
bone mass as well as have bone loss during menopause due to the reduction in
estrogen,” explains Dorothy Teegarden, PhD, professor at Purdue University at
the department of foods and nutrition.
A new national Harris Interactive survey, commissioned by the Know My Bones
Council, assessed how knowledgeable and proactive women with osteoporosis are
about managing their disease. Formed in 2009, the Know My Bones Council unified
with a single goal: encouraging women living with osteoporosis to prioritize
their bone health and seek information that will empower them to fight their
disease. The Council is made up of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the
Society for Women’s Health Research and four additional leading women’s advocacy
groups.
Among other findings, the survey revealed that women with osteoporosis believe
they are doing everything they can to manage their disease. But less than half
were no more likely to know their bone mineral density score than those women
who did not have osteoporosis. Almost 1 in 3 women with osteoporosis report that
they often do not take their medication.
The survey revealed that more work needs to be done. The US Preventive Services
Task Force recommends routine bone density screening for all women ages 65 and
older. The test can help doctors determine disease risk and design a treatment
course. There are medications available to treat osteoporosis and compliance is
extremely important for effectiveness. Doctors and patients can work together to
ensure proper management of this wide-spread disease.
© June, 1 2009 Society for
Women’s Health
Research
