Originally published November 3 2005
Bone health in the U.S. becoming a major concern of healthcare officials
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Contemporary research on bone health is extensive, and many measures, including diet, vitamin supplements and exercise are preventive, though prescription medications do exist.
"One in two women and one in five men will be affected by osteoporosis as they go into old age.
Some 34 million Americans are living with a condition called osteopenia or thinning bones as calcium slowly but steadily drains from their bones.
An additional 10 million Americans over 50 progress to full blown osteoporosis, in which bones not only dangerously demineralize but also deform as the spongy bone matrix collapses.
"Most people don't realize that osteoporosis and thinning bones are preventable," Nelson says.
We build bone during childhood and adolescent years and attain peak bone strength in our 20s or early 30s.
In fact, it's completely asymptomatic until a fracture occurs, and then the risk of subsequent fractures is very high," Williams says.
"I've seen people well into their 60s and 70s build bone density and slow down bone loss," Nelson says.
With the right diet, exercise and, in some cases, supplements and medication, you can begin building your bones today.
The average daily intake of calcium is around 600 milligrams a day, says nutrition professor Miriam Nelson, author of "Strong Women, Strong Bones," but they need twice that much.
"The best five sources of calcium are food, food, food, fortified food and supplements.
Resistance or weight lifting exercise is also a great way to pump up your skeleton's strength.
VITAMIN D Produced in the skin as a result of sun exposure, we used to think everyone got enough vitamin D just being outdoors.
Today, a bone density test can determine if you have osteoporosis or are at risk of the disease before you suffer a fracture.
A bone density test uses special X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone.
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