COLLOIDAL MINERALS

NEWS ARTICLE

(NAPSI)-Osteoporosis is more prevalent than stroke, heart attack and breast cancer combined in postmenopausal women. Even so, a new survey revealed that women 50 and over do not know the essential steps they should take to prevent and treat this bone-thinning disease that can lead to debilitating fractures.Osteoporosis

Nearly three-quarters of postmenopausal women incorrectly believe that good posture is an effective way to both prevent and treat osteoporosis. Posture is in no way related to the development of the disease. Osteoporosis

These women also believe calcium and exercise are effective in preventing, as well as treating osteoporosis after menopause. Although these measures are essential for bone health throughout life, they alone cannot stop bone loss after menopause. Osteoporosis

"A diet rich in calcium and exercise is critical to bone health throughout life," said Ethel Siris, M.D., Director, Toni Stabile Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and board member, National Osteoporosis Foundation. "However, when bone loss accelerates at menopause, women at risk for osteoporosis may need to develop a bone health plan with their physicians that includes calcium, exercise and if needed, medication to prevent bone loss." Osteoporosis

Calcium and Exercise Keys To Bone Health

Osteoporosis

According to the survey, women 50 and over understand the importance of calcium in maintaining bone health but do not consume enough of it. Three-quarters (76 percent) of postmenopausal women drink only one glass of milk or less (their reported major source of dietary calcium) a day. One glass of milk provides about 300 mg of calcium. It is recommended that postmenopausal women consume 1,000-1,500 mg of calcium per day.Osteoporosis

"Sufficient calcium - which research shows is best obtained through foods - is essential for building bones before menopause and maintaining healthy bones after," said Gregory D. Miller, Ph.D., F.A.C.N., vice president, Nutrition Research and Technology Transfer, National Dairy Council. "Women at all stages of their life need to make an effort to get adequate amounts of calcium in their diet."Osteoporosis

If a woman cannot get adequate calcium through her diet, she may add calcium supplements to meet the recommended daily allowance.Osteoporosis

Women 50 and over also state that they are exercising regularly, and most prefer walking. It is the weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running and lifting weights, that may slow bone loss with age, but like calcium, exercise alone cannot completely stop bone loss.Osteoporosis

Bone Loss Speeds Up At Menopause

Before menopause, adequate dietary calcium and regular exercise are critical to help build and maintain healthy bone.Osteoporosis

However, at menopause, the drop in estrogen levels cause women to lose more bone than is rebuilt. In the first five years after menopause, women may lose up to 15 percent of their bone - which is about one-third of the bone they will lose in their lifetime. Around menopause, calcium and exercise alone, although essential for bone health, cannot stop bone loss. Many women at risk for the disease may need a more aggressive osteoporosis prevention strategy.Osteoporosis

What Are The Risk Factors?

Risk factors for osteoporosis include:

1. menopause
2. a family history of osteoporosis
3. thin build
4. Caucasian or Asian ancestry
5. history of fracture
6. chronic use of anti-inflammatory steroids
7. total hysterectomy
8. excessive doses of thyroid medications or anticonvulsants.

The survey found that only 39 percent of women 50 and over believed menopause - the single most important risk factor -increased their risk of osteoporosis. Sixty-nine percent and 58 percent cited insufficient calcium and insufficient exercise, respectively, as risk factors.Osteoporosis

"We know that women 50 and over care about their health and that they are very interested in getting enough calcium and exercise," said Sandra C. Raymond, Executive Director, National Osteoporosis Foundation. "Our goal is to make sure that all women understand the need for a bone health plan after menopause, including talking to their doctors to evaluate their bone health, and, if appropriate, taking action to help prevent osteoporosis and its fractures."Osteoporosis

The survey was conducted for the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the National Dairy Council and the American College of Sports Medicine by Roper Starch Worldwide, Inc., a marketing and public opinion research firm. Merck & Co., Inc. provided funding for the survey.Osteoporosis

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