Osteoporosis and osteopenia are diseases better known as “thinning of the bones”. It is usually detected by a diagnosis of a broken hip, wrist or classic hump on the back of older women. The disease usually appears when women are menopausal or premenopausal in their forties and fifties. It progresses until finally detected by a broken bone or chronic back pain.
Osteoporosis is most common in women of Northern European and Asian decent. African-American women also get the disease, but at a lesser rate and men get it in their seventies or when they start to markedly decrease testosterone.
Osteoporosis is best detected by a bone density or heal x-ray in the doctors office or by a full body x-ray done by a radiologist.

There are several ways to treat Osteoporosis,
and it's best to participate in all approaches.

1. Increase your intake of foods high in Calcium. Low fat dairy products, broccoli, Kale, almonds and canned salmon are some sources of Calcium. Take at least 1200 mgm of Calcium daily by way of supplements. Be sure you are taking 400 mgm of Vitamin D daily as well as magnesium and zinc supplements. Take your supplements throughout the day to aid digestion and to prevent them from being eliminated via bowel movements. There are also candy supplements that contain about 500 mgm. per day of Calcium .

2. Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol. They tend to destroy calcium, as does salt. The average American consumes thousands of milligrams of salt in the forms of chips, crackers popcorn and high sodium preserved foods. But, we only need about 400 mg. a day.

3. Exercise on a daily basis. Walking, running, jumping rope or any exercise where you are using your own weight to bear down on your bones, builds bone mass. Learn how to lift weight safely. The very act of using your muscles causes your bones to increase in their density. Carefully train your abdominal muscles so they are strong and provide support for your low back.

4. Consult with your doctor about taking hormones if you do not have a history in your family of breast cancer. Also talk with your physician about taking Evista and/or Fosamax or other medication to assist with bone growth.

Remember, if you are a menopausal Caucasian or Asian female who has a family history of Osteoporosis or if you have had a sedentary lifestyle, you are probably at risk for Osteoporosis.
Get a bone density today. It is important to grow stronger, not weaker, as we age.

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