Osteoporosis and Bone Health – the Surgeon General's Report

More than one in 10 Americans either has, or is at risk of developing, osteoporosis or other bone diseases. This poses a major, but largely unknown, health concern for the United States. Spurred on by concerns about cost, in both dollars and compromised lifestyle, that osteoporosis inflicts on the nation, the Surgeon General has launched a major campaign aimed at improving bone health

According to the Surgeon General's report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis there is both good news, and bad news.

The good news is that by making sure we getting enough calcium, vitamin D (remember, vitamin D promotes absorption of the calcium) and other nutrients such as magnesium, we are more likely to build strong bones, helping us stave off the effects of osteoporosis.

The bad news, however, is that more than 75% of Americans aren't getting enough calcium in their diet. The are calcium deficient, as it were.

Are you getting enough calcium? In trying to decide, consider the fact that a large majority of women in a recent study underestimated their daily calcium needs by at least half.

Taking calcium supplements every day can be a key element in the prevention and treatment calcium deficiency, helping your reduce your risks of osteoporosis.

Helping Children Prevent Osteoporosis

As juice, soda, and other soft drinks take the place of milk in our children's diets, calcium deficiency in children is becoming a huge concern. Preventing osteoporosis begins with childhood. If you have children, start now to help them prevent osteoporosis.

From birth to the age of eleven, about 45% of bone mass is created. According to the Amercian Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, US children are only consuming half of the calcium required for their age. Male teen-agers consume about 50% of what they need, while their females counter-parts are consuming only 14% of the recommended calcium levels for their age.

Children, ages 1 through 3, should get 500 mg of calcium per day. Children ages 4 to 8 need 800 mg per day. Those between ages 9 and 18 should get 1300 mg per day. Talk to your doctor about appropriate calcium supplement doses for your children.

The Importance of Exercise

Exercise is also important in fighting osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercises during childhood and adolescence help increase bone density. Appropriate exercises can include:

• Walking
• Dancing
• Jogging
• Stair-climbing
• Racquet sports
• Hiking

If you’ve been leading a sedentary life, check with your doctor before you begin any exercise program.

*Data gathered from the Osteoporosis Clinic in the Division of Rheumatology at Froedtert & Medical College.

Bone Density

Calcium supplements can be a significant help in maintaining bone health and density, an important indicator in diagnosing osteoporosis. As always, you should talk to your doctor about taking calcium supplements to maintain bone health, or any other health issues.

You may consider getting a bone density evaluation if you have, or have had, any of the following:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Seizures
• Thyroid disease
• Parathyroid disease
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Eating disorders
• Lactose intolerance
• Colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Kidney stones
• Kidney disease
• An irregular menstrual cycle or an early hysterectomy

Some medication can affect bone health include:

• Steroids
• Thyroid supplements
• Antacids
• Seizure medications
• Diuretics and inhalers

Talk to your doctor if you have taken any of these medications. You should also talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition that may interfere with calcium consumption (such as lactose intolerance) or vitamin D absorption.

Preventing Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. It has no signs or symptoms until the bones have thinned to the point where they fracture under the lightest of stresses.

While osteoporosis can affect everyone, it strikes women the hardest. Nearly half of all Caucasian and Asian women over the age of 50 years will suffer from at least one fracture caused by osteoporosis. African and Latin women, and men of all races, face lower rates, but bone loss still occurs with the presence of additional risk factors.

Additional risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Low weight (under 127 pounds for adults)
• Being a smoker
• Poor lifelong calcium intake
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Other chronic conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Long-term use of the steroid medication prednisone and early menopause.

The most common, and devastating, non-traumatic fracture associated with osteoporosis are hip fractures. The low-bone mass caused by osteoporosis is so bad, that many people suffer from this disease can break their hip sockets simply by standing up. Some estimates show that in the US, over 300,000 hip fractures occur every year. Of those who suffer from hip fractures related to osteoprosis, twelve to twenty percent will die from complications caused by the fracture within the first year.(1) Those who survive face a substantial decrease in the quality of their lives due to pain and loss of mobility.

Because peak bone mass is achieved at approximately 30 years of age, it's vital to have a diet rich in calcium from infancy through early adulthood.(1) Calcium consumed later in life helps maintain bone mass, but it can't build more mass than you've already got by the time you're 30.

Ingest Calcium Throughout the Day

Calcium is absorbed slowly and the body can't take in more than 500 mg at one time. While naturally occurring calcium is more effectively absorbed than supplemental calcium, taking a coral calcium supplement can help.

Most people should take 1000 mg per day. Some coral calcium supplements contains 500 mg of calcium, along with other vitamins and minerals that pertain to bone health, per capsule. Taking one capsule during breakfast, and another at your evening meal, is the perfect way to get your daily doses in an optimal way.

If you're over the age of 40, you should take between 1200 to 1500 mg of calcium per day. After age 40, add a capsule coral calcium to your mid-day meal, and you'll optimize your calcium intake.

(1) Data gathered from the Osteoporosis Clinic in the Division of Rheumatology at Froedtert & Medical College.