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| Osteoporosis is a scary name for many people. Women know about this process because they have been told for decades that they are most at risk. An entire generation has been brought up on concepts about building strong bones and fearing osteoporosis. But the myths about osteoporosis often do not match the reality. Consider that we have always been told that osteoporosis was caused from a lack of calcium in our diets. In fact, there is data available that shows this is not the case. Take, for example, Singapore, where calcium consumption is approximately 600 mg/day compared to the U.S. where calcium is approximately 1000 mg/day. In spite of this, Singapore has only 10 percent of the hip fracture rate as does the U.S. People of Hong Kong consume about 400-500 mg/day, yet they have 30 percent the fracture rate of the U.S. In Finland, they consume 1400-1500 mg/day of calcium and have 50 percent less hip fractures compared to the U.S. From this data, it is obvious that increased calcium consumption does not by itself mean a decrease in hip fractures. Yet the dairy industry, antacid manufacturers, vitamin companies and many health care practitioners continue to push people to consume more calcium. An article from Medscape offers exercise as a possible answer to preventing osteoporosis. Since the body reacts to exercise by strengthening areas used, using the bones through exercise can prevent bone loss. When asked what type of exercise to do, experts suggest that it be an exercise that the person enjoys. This way they are more likely to continue. From a chiropractic standpoint, we also understand that it is the innate healing ability of the body that has to adapt and strengthen the bones. With this in mind, we also understand that a properly functioning nervous system is essential for both function and adaptability. It is, therefore, a good idea to keep your spine free of nervous interference (subluxation) and give your body the best chance to adapt normally and healthily. |
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| Researchers report in the July 2001 issue of American Journal of Public Health that men in their 30s who jog at least nine times a month develop a bone density that is at least 5 percent higher than that of men who jog less. The study analyzed answers to questions in a health survey of 4,254 men, including 954 joggers and 3,300 who did not jog. The study included results of hip bone X-rays taken of each of the men to determine bone density. The researchers compared the findings from joggers with results from non-joggers. Dr. Michael E. Mussolino, a researcher at the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention office in Hyattesville, Md. said the results showed, "The men who were jogging nine times a month were doing much better than those who were jogging only one to eight times a month,'' said Mussolino. ``Even those who jogged eight or fewer times a month had a higher bone density than those who did not jog at all." He also stated that the study shows that it does not require marathon-like running to build strong bones. "This shows that just a casual frequency of jogging is beneficial." The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 10 million Americans now have osteoporosis and another 18 million are at risk of the disease due to low bone density. Eighty percent of these people are women. It is estimated that one out of every two women and one in eight men will break a bone as the result of osteoporosis within their lifetime. The report states that building dense strong bones in young adulthood is considered by experts to be an important hedge against osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that generally develops in later years. |
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