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Your "Bone Bank" They call it "a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences," because the groundwork for healthy bones—or for eventual osteoporosis—is laid in childhood. The best prevention strategy is to start acquiring peak bone mineral levels early. Vigorous exercise and adequate intake of calcium are most important. Think of bone as a bank account, where you are "making deposits" and "withdrawals." In childhood, bone is being added faster than it's being removed. As a result, bones become larger, heavier and denser. In adolescence and early adulthood (11-24 years), bone formation occurs rapidly until peak bone mass is reached. After 35, "withdrawals" slowly begin to exceed "deposits." Remember: the stronger your "bank account," the longer it takes to draw it down. For women, "withdrawals" become much more frequent after menopause. By age 65, loss rate slows down and both women and men seem to lose bone mass at the same rate.
Healthy Measures Calcium and vitamin D are the key ingredients for preventing excessive bone loss and maintaining healthy bones. They should be taken throughout life. Vitamin D, essential for the absorption of calcium, can be obtained in most multivitamin preparations, since it is not readily available from dietary sources other than milk or food products fortified with vitamin D. Sunshine, of course, is the primary source of vitamin D. The following recommended daily allowances for calcium intake can be achieved through dietary and/or supplemental sources.
Treatment Strategies
Bone loss is an inevitable part of living a long life. And as life expectancies become more extended, attention needs to be paid to the quality of that life. The tools for preventing, measuring and treating osteoporosis are there. We can all take steps at many points in our lives to promote good bone health. It's never too late! Dr. Lane is chief of the Metabolic Bone Disease Service, medical director of the Osteoporosis Prevention Center and director of the Clinical Research Center at Hospital For Special Surgery in NYC. Ms. Andariese is the director of the Osteoporosis Center at Hospital For Special Surgery. |
BlueCross® BlueShield®
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