Baby Boomers and Bone Health

One of the most important concerns, especially for women, is osteoporosis. The term osteoporosis means a porous bone that means fractures can result in these weak and thin bones. It is estimated that without a change in lifestyle, 12 million people will have osteoporosis by 2010.

Baby boomers are not concerned about osteoporosis because they think it is a problem only for senior citizens. This is a gender related health issue. For women the risk for osteoporosis dramatically increases as their ovaries begin to reduce production of estrogen. Bone loss can happen long before a woman begins to feel the effects of perimenopause.

Osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million fractures a year. A fracture can mean complications especially from a hip fracture. When mobility is limited, it can mean a loss of appetite, circulatory problems, skin problems, and even depression. Unless baby boomers are made aware of the problems associated with osteoporosis, it will continue to increase in numbers throughout the population.

Osteoporosis can be a concern for men but normally not until after they are sixty. They don’t experience the sudden drop in hormone levels, but as their testosterone decreases, less new bone is formed. The disease does develop not only later in life, but also progresses at a much slower rate. Some lifestyle issues can affect men’s bone health.

Primary risk factors for osteoporosis are age, sex, and not enough calcium intake. However, you should consider other risk factors. For instance, if you have a small frame it puts you at a higher risk, also Asian and Caucasians seem to be more at risk. If you have a female member of your immediate family that has already developed osteoporosis or have suffered from bone fractures, that could put you more at risk. Other risk factors include women who go through menopause at an early age, medications for thyroid or steroids, inactive lifestyle, smoking, and drinking caffeinated drinks.

How can this disease be prevented? Is there a way to insure you don’t develop this condition in your senior years? You can help protect your bones against this disease. Stooped posture, fractures, and body pain are not a normal part of growing older. The two most important means of prevention are nutrition and exercise.

The body does not make calcium; it has to be included in your daily diet. When your body is not taking in enough calcium, the body takes the calcium it needs from your bones. This increases bone loss and influence how rapidly the disease progresses.

Lactose intolerance can result in a person not taking in enough calcium. Dairy products have calcium but also have lactose. Lactose intolerant patients may experience stomach problems like cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. One way to be sure you are getting enough calcium is by taking supplements. You also can take in calcium in nondairy products. Foods high in calcium are sardines, salmon, shrimp, cooked raw broccoli, turnip greens, almonds, tofu, and collards. Also available at any grocery store are products specifically made for lactose intolerant people. Lactose free milk can be found in the dairy section and another good source of calcium is hard cheeses. Also available are medications that if taken before consuming dairy products will help your body cope with the lactose it is taking in.

Vitamin D also helps with calcium absorption. This important vitamin exists in the skin and is released when exposed to the sun. Sun exposure for 10-15 minutes a day will help your body convert Vitamin D into calcium. This should be done when the sun is high but remember to protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun. You shouldn’t rely on sun exposure as your major source of calcium. If you are protecting your skin, you also are blocking what you need to produce calcium. In the grocery store, you will also find some juices and cereals enriched with Vitamin D.

Baby boomers need to start thinking about their bone health before they become seniors. A little prevention now could save you from pain of fractures in the future.