Do Men Get Osteoporosis?

Yes, as we have stated earlier, men do get osteoporosis. There are more than two million men herein the U.S. who suffer from osteoporosis. Men over age 50 are at greater risk. Everything we have discussed about helping women to protect, prevent and reverse osteoporosis is also relevant to men, especially men over 70 or those who have experienced non-traumatic fractures. Other then using estrogen and progesterone, all of the treatments discussed above can also be used to treat men.

How Will Pregnancy Affect My Bones?

To grow strong bones, babies need a lot of calcium. Generally most babies gets their calcium from their mothers, from her body reserves and from what she eats, or the supplements she takes as part of her diet. In those situations were a pregnant woman isn’t getting sufficient calcium in her daily diet or supplements, she may rapidly lose calcium from her bones. This can eventually or ultimately lead to osteoporosis and reduced bone strength and increased risk for fractures to occur. Pregnant women should always make sure they are getting at least the minimum daily  recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D in their diet. If not, they should talk with their doctor about how much calcium, they should be getting and how to get it.

Will I Suffer Bone Loss During Breast-Feeding?

Generally bone mineral density is not lost during breast-feeding. If bone mineral density is lost then this loss tends to be small and temporary. Studies have demonstrated that when women who have bone mineral loss during breast-feeding usually recover full bone density within six months after weaning. However, it is always smart for every woman to maintain a healthy level of calcium and magnesium in her daily diet, as well as a regular exercise program.

If you have questions or wish to get more information about pregnancy and osteoporosis, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can tell you what prevention methods and treatments might work best for you.

How Can I Help My Daughter Have Strong Bones?

Prevention always starts as early as is possible. Girls ages 9-18 are in their critical bone-building years. One program, Best Bones Forever!™, a national education effort encourages girls ages 9-14 to eat more foods with calcium and vitamin D and to be involved in as much physical activity as possible. There is a web site at http://www.bestbonesforever.gov/ which is specifically designed for  parents regarding prevention of osteoporosis. This site gives parents a number of excellent tools and lots of information on how to help their daughters build strong bones during the critical window of bone growth — ages 9-18.

Problems with Dairy Products:

What If Dairy Foods Make Me Sick? How Can I Then Get Enough Calcium?

If you do not like dairy or if dairy foods make you sick, if you are on a low cholesterol diet or have lactose intolerance, then you do not have to eat dairy products. You should be able to get sufficient calcium though other foods and supplements.

What If I Must Eat a Low Cholesterol Diet?

Many dairy foods are currently manufactured and sold as fat free hence cholesterol free or as low fat or skim mild based. Exactly what you should and should not eat will depend on the severity of your cholesterol problems and your doctors concern for you. Once again you can get your calcium through using supplements.

What If I Am Lactose Intolerant?

If you’re lactose intolerant, this does not necessarily mean that you have to never have dairy products. You still may be able to eat enough dairy products in order to get the amount of calcium your body needs to protect you. Lactose is the sugar which is found primarily in dairy products such as milk and cheese. Lactose intolerance means that your body has a hard time breaking down and digesting foods that contain lactose. You may have symptoms such as gas, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea, all of which can be very uncomfortable. Lactose intolerance can start at any age but often worsens when we get older.

There are several simple ways to solve this problem. First and easiest is that you can purchase lactose-reduced and lactose-free dairy products at most major markets. There’s a great variety of lactose free products available, including milk, cheese, and ice cream. Next, you can purchase, Lactase, the enzyme that your body is not making in a tablet or drop form at most drug or health food stores. You use the lactase enzyme (pills or liquids) just before and with eating any dairy foods. This will prevent the symptoms from occurring and help you easily digest any dairy products you eat.  Talk with your doctor or read the label for exact instructions. If you continue to have symptoms of lactose intolerance, then take no chances, see your doctor. When symptoms occur while taking lactase, this could mean that you have a different problem, possibly a more serious illness.

I Am Vegan, How Do I Get My Calcium?

If you are a vegan, that is you only eat plant-based foods and you avoid dairy and other animal products, then you can choose from a long list of other food which contain adequate amounts of calcium. Review the sources of calcium listed above in the dietary sections of these articles and find foods that you are able to eat, If these are not enough you can use calcium supplements.

What If I Choose or Refuse To Eat Red Meats?

There are plenty of non red meat foods in our calcium list to allow you to easily reach your calcium goals. You can eat cooked or canned salmon with bones, sardines, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, broccoli, and calcium-fortified orange juice. Many cereals also have calcium added. You can also take a calcium supplement. Talk with your doctor regarding which foods are best for you.

More About Bone Mineral Density Testing

The simplest and fastest diagnostic test is bone mineral density screening by X-Ray Absorptiometry. This test is often referred to as a DXA Test for short. The DXA scan only requires taking a few X-rays of your bones. Once performed a radiologist can then tell how dense your bones are and whether or not they have normal or below normal bones mineral density. Using the DXA scan a radiologist can determine how much bone mineral density you have already lost, hence how fragile your bones are and how likely they may be able to break. If you have additional questions talk with your doctor and when you are ready ask your doctor to arrange a DXA test for you.

When and How Often Should Bone Mineral Density Testing Be Done?

If you are age 65 and older, you should get a bone mineral density testing should be done every two years. Women age 60 to 64 with risk factors for osteoporosis and women over 45 who have already had broken any bones should also undergo bone mineral density testing every two years. If you are age 40 to 60, you should discuss risk factors and testing with your doctor or nurse. The same approach should also apply to men over 65 years of age or older. Testing can also be done earlier in men who have high risk signs or symptoms or unexplained fractures.


To Read Article #1 About Osteoporosis, click here.

To Read Article #2 The Effects of Osteoporosis, click here.

To Read Article #3 The Standard Western Medical Approach to Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis, click here.

To Read Article #4 Alternative Approach to Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis, click here.

To Read Article #6 Bisphosphonates: Risks and Benefits, click here.