Understand These 3 Myths to Prevent Osteoporosis
3 common myths about osteoporosis that may danger your health
One out of every two women and one out of every four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Currently, ten million men and women living in the United States suffer from this crippling condition.
Osteoporosis is a serious condition. With startling statistics like these, the American public needs to educate themselves about how to prevent osteoporosis. A good start is to understand 3 of the most common myths surrounding this condition
Myth #1 -- Calcium Deficiency Causes Osteoporosis
Your bones are made of several minerals, not just calcium. Supplementing only with calcium can actually worsen your bone density and increase your risk for osteoporosis.
Dr. Thompson, author of The Calcium Lie, says taking too much calcium creates other mineral deficiencies and imbalances increasing your risk for heart disease, kidney stones, gallstones, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, obesity and type II diabetes.
Myth #2 -- Bisfosphonate Drugs like Fosamax, Actonel, or Boniva are the Only Treatment for Osteoporosis.
To have strong healthy bones, your bones need to constantly renew themselves. Bisfosphonate kill certain cells in your bone called osteoclasts. Osteoclasts destroy bone as part of your natural bone regeneration process.
When osteoclasts die off, you're left with only the osteoblasts that build bone. Because of this, you get bigger bone that is denser, but NOT stronger. Your bones become weaker and your risk of developing a fracture increases.
Your bone undergoes a dynamic process, constantly being remolded based on the forces in your body. You need to have both osteoblasts and osteclasts to remove old bone and rebuild new bone.
Myth #3 -- Avoid Exercise if You Have Osteoporosis
After a diagnosis of osteoporosis, you may avoid exercise fearing a fracture. This is understandable. But the truth is exercise is one of the best ways to repair your bones. You need to make your home safer and avoiding climbing but don't avoid exercise.
One of the best ways to re-build bone is with weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercise exerts force on your bones and stimulates the osteoblasts to build new bone. Walking and strength training are great choices. Talk to your doctor and let him recommend an exercise program tailored to your health conditions.
There are many misconceptions about osteoporosis. Many of these misconceptions are myths like calcium, exercise, and prescription drugs that can actually make your condition worse. Talk with your doctor and make him aware of these osteoporosis myths before making health decisions.
