Chiropractic Discussion of Osteoporosis Nutrition and Prevention

Chiropractic Care: Osteoporosis and Nutrition

With osteoporosis afflicts 1-in-4 women and 1-in-8 men (4), prevention of this undesirable disease may shrink your risk of fracture. Because it shows up later in life, many consider this disease to be one of old age. But, it has its roots in your younger years. Optimal bone mass is obtained in early adulthood. Low bone density in the early years is a large factor of increased risk of osteoporosis. Even earlier predictors of a baby's bone mass are a mother's lifestyle, body build, and intake of Vitamin D (6).

New Roads Chiropractic Center in New Roads understands osteoporosis and is ready to help you address your osteoporosis nutritional needs...as well as offering chiropractic care of osteoporotic fractures. For now, let us focus is on nutrition prevention aspect of osteoporosis.

Facts about Osteoporosis, New Roads Patients Need to Know

• Women with osteoporosis have more falls when there is less low back muscle strength and the presence of osteoporosis. (1)
• The greatest incidence of vertebral fractures are in those over 70 years of age who have osteoporosis. (15)
• There is an increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures related to antidepressant drug use. (2) Do you know anyone with osteoporosis in New Roads who uses antidepressant drugs? Likely.
• Men are twice as likely to die after a hip fracture. Osteoporosis is an important and often overlooked problem in men. New Roads men are at-risk as well for osteoporosis.
  • Osteoporosis risk assessment in men before 65 years of age is recommended.
  • All men diagnosed with osteoporosis should be evaluated for secondary causes of bone loss.
  • Pharmacotherapy is recommended for men with osteoporosis and for high-risk men with low bone mass (osteopenia).
  • Bisphosphonates are the first-line agents for treating osteoporosis in men.
  • Testosterone therapy, adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D should be encouraged in all men to maintain bone mass.
  • Men should be educated regarding lifestyle measures, which include weight-bearing exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation as well as fall prevention strategies. (3)
• Women are more prone to osteoporosis-related fractures, but the mortality rate associated with fractures is higher in men. (5)
• Death after hip fractures:
  • 20% of women and 34% of men with hip fractures die in less than a year. (4)
• Calcium intake slows bone loss by 43%. (11)

Don't dismiss osteoporosis so easily! New Roads Chiropractic Center encourages you to call your family and friends to find out their risk for osteoporosis. Then ask your New Roads chiropractor about possible suggestions on plans to address osteoporosis prevention care or, osteoporosis-related fracture care. New Roads Chiropractic Center focuses on nutrition and gentle chiropractic treatment to help with osteoporosis.

Pharmacotherapy Treatment of Osteoporosis: Bisphosphonates

Two structures are hard at work maintaining your bones; osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts form new bone and osteoclasts re-absorb it. Bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Reclast) are an osteoclast prevention drug. They prevent the re-absorption of bone by acting on osteoclasts. In some cases, this causes disturbed osteoblast and osteoclast balance, and bone becomes brittle and susceptible to fracture (7). Bisphosphonates may be linked to unprovoked fracture of the femur, or the jaw (7).

Non-Drug Treatment of Osteoporosis: Nutrition

Osteoporosis research recommends the following to manage osteoporosis:

• Take a calcium supplement with...
  • Calcium citrate and hydrochloric acid for absorption.
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Vitamin D3.
• EXERCISE regularly by walking and using free weights to keep your bones moving. Find a nice walking path near your New Roads home, so there is no excuse to not walk.
• Minimize caffeine and alcohol intake. (7)
• CALCIUM - The best documented nutrient for metabolism of bone and thus related to osteoporosis nutrition is CALCIUM.
  • Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3 reduces risk of bone fractures by 24% and significantly reduces loss of bone mass. (8)
  • Better for osteoporosis nutrition, calcium citrate is preferred:
    • 20% to 66% greater assimilation and absorption than carbonate (10)
    • 25% dietary calcium is absorbed from upper gut (12)
    • is best assimilated and doesn't increase oxalate levels which are shown to increase kidney stones (13)
    • absorbs twice as well as hydroxyapatite
    • 2.5 times more bio-available than calcium carbonate, even when given with a meal, the optimum way to assure calcium carbonate is absorbed. (14)
• VITAMIN D plays a role in osteoporosis prevention. (4)
  • increases calcium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
    • 200 IU per day for persons over 50
    • 400 to 800 IU per day for persons over 65
  • 70% decrease of fractures using Vitamin D3 (9)

Chiropractic Care: Closing Comments on Osteoporosis Prevention and Nutrition

No one wants osteoporosis-related fractures. Optimal nutrition and exercise from youth may be the best way to prevent osteoporosis. It's never too late to take control of the warnings of osteoporosis with the correct amounts of nutrients and helpful advice from your chiropractic care giver. New Roads Chiropractic Center suggests chiropractic osteoporosis management with the Cox Technic. It is a gentle, controlled approach to osteoporosis inflicted spines.

So, please contact New Roads Chiropractic Center to discuss what is best for you related to osteoporosis nutrition and prevention. Your New Roads chiropractor is well versed in nutrition and chiropractic care. New Roads Chiropractic Center is ready to help!