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Osteoporosis is a disease that results in the deterioration of bone mineral density. Osteoporosis affects nearly 28 million Americans, 2 million of which are men. Despite these staggering numbers, osteoporosis is often preventable.
Although osteoporosis is usually thought of as a disease that affects mostly females, 5-6 million men are also at risk of developing it each year. And the risk of getting osteoporosis increases with age. This year alone, over 80,000 men will have hip fractures. The total estimated costs associated with osteoporosis are 12-14 billion dollars per year.
The leading causes of osteoporosis in men are:
- Heavy use of alcohol
- Using steroids
- Loss of male hormone (Hypogonadism)
A few other causes of osteoporosis in both men and women include:
- Family history (genetics)
- Lack of weight-bearing exercises or other strenuous activities
- Smoking
- A lifetime of inadequate calcium intake
With such alarming numbers, the National Osteoporosis Foundation has recommended that the treatment of osteoporosis with any drug therapy must also include sufficient calcium and vitamin D to be effective.
Studies have demonstrated that you can triple the bone-building benefits of your osteoporosis medication if you take the recommended 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D on a daily basis. But according to a recent survey, less than 1 out of 3 women take them along with their osteoporosis medication.
According to national studies, our daily diet doesn't include enough of these nutrients to help ward off osteoporosis. While milk, cheese, broccoli, kale, and beans are good sources, you would need to consume huge quantities of these foods in order to get the amount needed.
Here are a few Osteoporosis prevention tips:
- Eat foods that are rich in calcium, including dairy products, broccoli, kale, and beans
- Consume alcohol in moderation
- Avoid the use of steroids
- If you smoke, quit!
- Take a daily ten-minute walk which is a form of weight-bearing exercise
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Take a daily calcium supplement such as Citracal + D
Osteoporosis affects millions of Americans in their later years. Don't let it affect you. By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of being able to enjoy an active, healthy life in your golden years!
Article courtesy of Mission Pharmacal.
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