Individuals need to get the RDA for calcium and
vitamin D beginning in childhood and continuing
through old age. Exercise at any age is also beneficial
in slowing osteoporosis. A BMD test should be done
every two years in older individuals. Medicare will
usually pay for a BMD test every two years. Signs of
osteoporosis should be treated as soon as they appear.
Resources
BOOKS
Cosman, Felicia.What Your Doctor May Not Tell You
About Osteoporosis: Help Prevent and Even Reverse the
Disease that Burdens Millions of Women. New York:
Warner Books, 2003.
Gates, Ronda and Beverly Whipple.Outwitting Osteoporo-
sis: The Smart Woman’s Guide to Bone Health. Hills-
boro, OR: Beyond Words Pub., c2003.
Hodgson, Stephen F.Mayo Clinic on Osteoporosis: Keeping
Bones Healthy and Strong and Reducing the Risk of
Fracture. New York: Kensington Pub., 2003.
ORGANIZATIONS
National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related
Bone Diseases National Resource Center. 2 AMS
Circle, Bethesda, MD 20892-3676. Telephone: (800)
624-2663(BONE) or (202) 223-0344. TTY: (202)466-
- Fax: (202) 293-2356 Website:http://
[http://www.osteo.org](http://www.osteo.org>)
National Osteoporosis Foundation. 1232 22nd Street N.W.,
Washington, DC 20037-1292. Telephone: (202) 223- - Website:http://www.nof.org/
OTHER
Surgeon General of the United States ‘‘The 2004 Surgeon
General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis.’’
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/bonehealth/
docs/Osteo10sep04.pdf
Hobar, Coburn. ‘‘Osteoporosis.’’ emedicine.com, December
16, 2005.http://www.emedicine.com/med/
topic1693.htm
Medline Plus. ‘‘Osteoporosis.’’ U. S. National Library of
Medicine, March 30, 2007.http://www.nlm.nih/gov/
medlineplus/osteoporosis.html
Nalamachu, Srinivas R. and Shireesha Nalamasu. ‘‘Osteo-
porosis (Primary).’’ emedicine.com, December 6, 2006.
http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic94.htm
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disor-
ders ‘‘Osteoporosis: The Diagnosis.’’ November 2005.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/osteoporosis_
diagnosis.htm
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disor-
ders ‘‘Other Nutrients and Bone Health at a Glance.’’
December 2004.http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/
other_nutrients.htm
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disor-
ders ‘‘What People With Anorexia Nervosa Need to
Know About Osteoporosis.‘‘ December 2004.http://
[http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/other_nutrients.htm](http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/other_nutrients.htm>)
National Osteoporosis Foundation. ‘‘Medications to Treat
& Prevent Arthritis.’’ 2007.<http://www.nof.org/
patientinfo/medications.htm>Tish Davidson, A.M.Osteoporosis diet
Definition
Osteoporosis,mostcommonlyreferredtoas
‘‘thinning of the bones’’, is a disease in which bone
mineral density is reduced. This can cause the bones
become brittle and fragile and easily fracture. Although
there is no cure for osteoporosis, it can be prevented.
Healthy diets, along with weight bearing exercise, are
key factors in the prevention and treatment of osteo-
porosis. The focus of the osteoporosis diet is on opti-
mising bone health at every stage in life and is based on
a normal balanced diet with an emphasis oncalcium
rich foods andVitamin D.Origins
Osteoporosis is a worldwide health concern. 2007
figures (International Osteoporosis Federation (IOF)
estimate it affects 75 million people in the United
States (US), Europe and Japan and this is forecast
to double in 50 years in line with increasing popula-
tions and increased life expectancy. In other parts of
the world, such as Africa and Asia, the incidence is
much lower, but according to the World Health
Organisation (WHO), it is projected that the greatest
increase in osteoporosis will take place in developing
countries.Despite being one of the world’s most com-
mon diseases, it is only now receiving internationalVitamin DAdequate Intake, U.S. FAO/WHO
Age recommendations recommendations
Up to 50 yrs. 200 IU/day 5 mcg/day 200 IU/day 5 mcg/day
Adults 51–65 yrs. 400 IU/day 10 mcg/day
Adults 51–70 yrs. 400 IU/day 10 mcg/day
Adults 65 yrs. 600 IU/day 15 mcg/day
Adults 71 yrs. 600 IU/day 15 mcg/day
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
WHO World Health Organization
IU International Unit
mcg microgram(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale.)Osteoporosis diet