| For decades, we’ve known that a woman’s | | | | caffeine decreases blood calcium levels by increasing |
| risk of osteoporosis increases if she is white or Asian, | | | | calcium excretion in urine, and this increases the risks |
| 50 years or older, thin or have small frame, consume | | | | of fracture and osteoporosis. In a study published in |
| diet low in calcium and vitamin D, smoke, or drink too | | | | 2001, for example, postmenopausal women who |
| much alcohol. What was not known until recently is | | | | consumed 300 milligrams of caffeine a day lost more |
| how fast and widespread bone loss occur in | | | | bone mass in the spine compared to women who |
| postmenopausal women. New statistics have medical | | | | consumed less than 300 milligrams a day. |
| experts scrambling for answers. | | | | So, is there something a woman can do to slow |
| In United States, osteoporosis and low bone mass | | | | down bone loss? Many experts believe that the |
| are now believed to be a major public health threat | | | | results of these new surveys amount to a wake-up |
| for 44 million Americans aged 50 and older. By 2010, | | | | call to all women to take immediate steps to protect |
| that number is expected to increase to over 52 | | | | themselves against the debilitation of osteoporosis. |
| million. Nearly half of all women and a quarter of men | | | | The current health advice is that older women should |
| aged 50 and older will suffer an osteoporosis-related | | | | begin by ensuring that they meet their daily calcium |
| fracture in their remaining lifetime. | | | | and vitamin D requirements through diet alone or with |
| Currently, the disease affects an estimated ten million | | | | supplements. |
| Americans – eight million women and two million | | | | They should also get regular weight-bearing exercise. |
| men. Another 34 million Americans, most of whom | | | | Examples of exercises that provide bone health |
| are women, have low bone mass, placing them at | | | | benefits include walking, jogging, racket sports, |
| increased risk of osteoporosis. In addition, | | | | dancing, stir climbing, and skating. For bone health, |
| osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures, | | | | any physical activity that puts stress or strain on |
| and the direct health care costs associated with | | | | bone will help strengthen the bone and increase its |
| these fractures are estimated at $18 billion per year. | | | | density. On the other hand, exercises such as biking |
| That’s right; billion with a “B”. | | | | and swimming may not provide the same benefits |
| Hip fractures account for 300, 000 hospitalizations | | | | because, during these exercises, the bone is |
| each year. About 20% of senior citizens who suffer | | | | supported rather than being put under stress. |
| a hip fracture die within a year of sustaining the | | | | Of course, older women must take care of smoking. |
| fracture, and another 20% of all hip-fracture patients | | | | In addition to having a negative effect on a |
| will be in a nursing home within one year. These | | | | woman’s bones, there is a number of health |
| numbers are worrisome, to say the least. | | | | problems associated with smoking. Cigarette smoke |
| Although there is no clear explanation for this upsurge | | | | produces toxins in the body and increases a |
| in the incidence of osteoporosis among older women, | | | | person’s risk for chronic diseases like heart |
| poor diets and sedentary lifestyle are suspected to | | | | disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. |
| play a role. In fact, a recent National Health and | | | | The bottom line is that numbers do not lie, and the |
| Nutrition Examination Survey concluded that many | | | | current numbers for osteoporosis suggest a silent |
| Americans particularly women, ethnic minorities, and | | | | epidemic among postmenopausal women. However, |
| the socially disadvantaged are not meeting the | | | | older women should not feel helpless; there are steps |
| current recommendations for adequate calcium and | | | | they can take to fight back. These steps include |
| vitamin D intake through diet alone or with calcium | | | | getting enough calcium and vitamin D, getting a |
| and vitamin D supplements. | | | | regular weight-bearing exercise, moderating coffee |
| Another factor implicated in the steep rise in | | | | drinking, and avoiding smoking. But, they must get |
| osteoporosis cases is too much coffee drinking | | | | going. The time is now; tomorrow may be too late. |
| among older women. There is growing evidence that | | | | |