Lets first start out by understanding what osteoporosis even is and then we will dive into alternative treatments for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system that is characterized by deterioration of bone tissue, along with a decrease in bone mass. It can strike anyone at any age, although it is most prevalent in Caucasian and Asian, small-boned women over 50. Osteoporosis is recognized as a major public health issue. More than 10 million Americans are afflicted, and 34 million more may already be exhibiting signs of low bone mass, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. Bone mass can be determined by a bone mineral density test (BMD), such as a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Low bone mass increases the risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures. Osteoporosis can affect any bone in the body, although the most common sites are the wrist, spine, and hips. It increases fracture risk, causing a huge amount of personal suffering and loss of quality of life.1 Osteoporosis also has a high cost to society. The cumulative economic burden of care for fractures due to osteoporosis from 2008 to 2028 is estimated at $474 billion dollars in the United States alone2.
SLEEP
Believe it or not, lifestyle can play an important part in the success (or failure) of managing and treating osteoporosis. Making sure to get enough sleep is a great place to start. A study from The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research states to make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep each night — which may lower your risk of osteoporosis of the hip by 22% and spine osteoporosis by 28%.
CARBONATED BEVERAGES
In looking over various sites to find out more about this I found that there is a link to carbonated beverages and bone loss but it’s still not totally clear if it means all carbonated beverages or just some select beverages. One thing that does seem to be a culprit though is that phosphoric acid in cola leaches calcium out of bones. You can read more about this from an article written by the Cleveland Clinic.
TOO MUCH ALCOHOL
Alcohol negatively affects bone health for several reasons. To begin with, excessive alcohol interferes with the balance of calcium, an essential nutrient for healthy bones. Calcium balance may be further disrupted by alcohol’s ability to interfere with the production of vitamin D, a vitamin essential for calcium absorption. Read more about this here.
SMOKING
There are several reasons why smoking weakens bones. Here is a short list:
- Smoking reduces the blood supply to the bones and to many other body tissues.
- The nicotine in cigarettes slows production of bone-producing cells, called osteoblasts.
- Smoking decreases the body’s absorption of calcium, which is necessary for vital cellular functions and bone health.
- Smoking affects the balance of hormones, including estrogen, which is needed to build and maintain a strong skeleton in women and men.
Read the entire article from UCI Health.
Please understand these posts are for educational purposes and are in now way intended to diagnose, treat, maintain or cure osteoporosis. It is also not suggested this be used in place of the treatments you are receiving from your physician. Also, if you are taking medications for osteoporosis do not stop taking them unless recommended by your physician.
References
1 Sawka AM, Thabane L, Papaioannou A, et al. Health-related quality of life measurements in elderly Canadians with osteoporosis compared to other chronic medical conditions: a population-based study from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos). Osteoporos Int. 2005;16(12):1836-1840.
2 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States: Prevalence, Societal and Economic Cost. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; 2008.
