Strong Bones For Those Whose Medicine
May Cause Bone Loss
Drug-Induced Osteoporosis A Concern For Many
SAN ANTONIO, TX -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 01/15/2002 -- What do the more than 17 million U.S. asthma sufferers, nearly 200,000 patients annually diagnosed with prostate cancer and patients taking blood thinners and antacids have in common? Their medications may be robbing them of bone, indicating an increased need for calcium and vitamin D to maintain their overall health and prevent osteoporosis.
Recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirm that certain medicines block calcium intake and interfere with bone metabolism, leading to bone loss. Specifically, asthma sufferers using corticosteroid asthma inhalers, chemotherapy patients and those with excessive thyroid replacement may find themselves at risk for osteoporosis.
“These drugs are essential for sustaining good health, so it’s important to neutralize their side effects by getting sufficient calcium through diet and calcium supplements,” states Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D., Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, and author of the Strong Women series of books. “Long-term use and dosage of these medications are key factors in the magnitude of potential bone loss, so patients and their healthcare professionals should strive to determine the lowest effective dose for treatment to minimize side effects, and discuss an osteoporosis prevention plan. I recommend that patients eat a healthy diet, engage in a strength training exercise program and take a calcium supplement like Citracal® + D to help maintain their bone density.”
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), osteoporosis is a major public health threat for more than 28 million Americans.
In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals already have the disease and 18 million more have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk. The disease, which is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leads to bone fragility, making patients increasingly susceptible to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist, as well as several inches lost in height. Because bone loss occurs without symptoms, osteoporosis is often referred to as the "silent disease." People are often unaware that they have it until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain or fall causes a bone fracture or a vertebra to collapse. For this reason, taking measures to prevent osteoporosis is critical.
The National Institutes of Health and the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommend that the average adult, including those taking medications that may affect their bone density, consume a minimum of 1,000 mg a day of elemental calcium, while postmenopausal women require 1,500 mg a day. Vitamin D requirements increase with the individual’s age with 200 IU of Vitamin D recommended for age 50 and under, 400 IU for those aged 51-70 and 600 IU for those aged 71 and older. Without sufficient dietary calcium and vitamin D, the bones begin a process called resorption, or the gradual depletion of bone mass in which the body steals calcium directly from the skeleton.
Calcium supplementation has been shown to have a protective effect on existing bone mass and to slow the further loss of bone. In fact, a study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas published in the October 2001 Archives of Medicine, shows that Citracal and Vitamin D actually increase bone mineral density by over three percent. Bones generally reach their peak density about age 30, with an annual 1% loss of bone mass. This yearly loss only increases after menopause. For post-menopausal women, ages 45 to 55, peak bone loss can be as high as 30-40%.
In addition to long term use of certain medications that exacerbate bone loss, drugs such as tetracycline for acne or antacids containing aluminum for relief of heartburn, alter the way calcium is absorbed. In order to allow maximum calcium absorption, people should avoid taking these medicines with dairy products or their calcium supplements.
Several studies also suggest that calcium citrate might be more easily absorbed than other calcium preparations. Calcium carbonate requires gastric acid for optimum absorption. However, calcium citrate can be taken with or without food because the preparation is well absorbed in either setting. This is a benefit for those with low stomach acid, a common occurrence in the older population.
“You can help prevent osteoporosis by taking some simple measures,” advises Dr. Nelson. “Take a bone density test to assess your bone health. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you use that may interfere with your calcium intake and bone mass and discuss what you can do to counteract their effects. Your doctor can also determine if, in addition to a calcium supplement, a prescription osteoporosis medication would be beneficial.”
Beyond taking a calcium supplement, Dr. Nelson recommends a diet of calcium-rich dairy products such as milk and yogurt, calcium-fortified soy products, juice and breakfast cereals, cruciferous vegetables and dark, leafy vegetables to increase calcium intake. A strength-training regimen and prescription osteoporosis treatment medications, if necessary, complete the overall osteoporosis prevention program.
“People think strength training means body builders at the gym, but you can accomplish a lot with a straight back chair, ankle weights and dumbbells. Start out with light weights three times a week. Slowly build up to slightly heavier weights. Eventually, you’ll notice an improvement in general strength, posture and overall health.”
Osteoporosis is not inevitable for those whose chronic conditions require the use of bone-robbing medications. A healthy diet, sufficient calcium and Vitamin D, weight bearing exercise and an osteoporosis prescription treatment regimen can help maintain healthy bones for life.
Editor’s Note: Attached exercises courtesy of www.strongwomen.com
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