Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Osteoporosis - New Findings...

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/223981.php

Dietary Calcium And Supplements Recommended Instead Of Bone-Building Meds

Has a bone density scan placed you at risk for osteoporosis, leading your doctor to prescribe a widely advertised bone-building medication? Not so fast! A University of Illinois study finds that an effective first course of action is increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

"For many people, prescription bone-building medicines should be a last resort," said Karen Chapman-Novakofski, a U of I professor of nutrition and co-author of a literature review published in a recent issue of Nutrients.

The study reported that adults who increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D usually increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk for hip fracture significantly. (more...)

"I suspect that many doctors reach for their prescription pads because they believe it's unlikely that people will change their diets," she noted.

The scientist said that prescription bone-building medications are expensive, and many have side effects, including ironically an increase in hip fractures and jaw necrosis. They should be used only if diet and supplements don't do the trick.

"Bisphosphonates, for instance, disrupt normal bone remodeling by shutting down the osteoclasts - the cells that break down old bone to make new bone. When that happens, new bone is built on top of old bone. Yes, your bone density is higher, but the bone's not always structurally sound," she said.

A bone density test measures quantity, not quality, of bone. (snip...) "you may still be at risk for a fracture," said Chapman-Novakofski." (more...)

(follows recommendations on diet then...)

(snip...) "She recommends a "portfolio diet" that contains a number of nutrients, not just extra calcium and vitamin D. For bone health, the researchers also encourage consuming adequate protein, less sodium, and more magnesium and potassium.

"That can be done by following a diet that's high in fruits and vegetables, has adequate calcium and protein, and is light on salt," she said.

Chapman-Novakofski noted that the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends more physical activity. She suggests a combination of aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises with a focus on improving your core muscles so you can catch yourself if you start to fall.

Whatever sort of exercise you're doing, you have to introduce new forms of activity every so often because your bones will stop responding to the same old routine and rebuilding will slow, she said.

Plawecki and Chapman-Novakofski set out to determine the impact of dietary, supplemental, and educational interventions over the last 10 years and reached their conclusions after reviewing 219 articles in scientific journals.

Source:
Phyllis Picklesimer
University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

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All you got to do now is to add in Strontium Citrate and bingo -

Hi Molly! Great article! Diet and exercise! I read an article the other day about how good jumping is for lower body bone density. I gotta get back on the basketball court.

Craig

Too bad you live so far away Craig. I need to get back on the basketball court too. I used to play so much!
Molly, great article about osteoporosis and vitamin D!

one of the things that my GP was forward thinking on, thank goodness!

thanks for the message molly.

Great sport isn't it? Are you watching the NBA playoffs?

Its really interesting finding out more about this whole bone density thing. I remember years ago reading somewhere that with elderly folk, it wasn't bone density that was the biggest predictor of hip and wrist fractures, it was flexibility. The ones who had been able to remain active and flexible were at far less risk of fractures even if their bone density was poor. I also remember reading that weight bearing exercise was a really good way of maintaining bone density (at least in the leg and hip areas). Interesting too that although my mother had significant osteoporosis from many years ago, she never ever had falls or started breaking bones until after she had to stop DMARDs (for RA, because of macular degeneration from them). It was at that point that she suddenly stopped being able to move well, became really stiff, and has had three broken bones since.