Jasmine Beaupre, author

Getting older is definitely NOT fun. It can be dangerous too, if you don’t take the necessary precautions against certain ailments related to aging. Unfortunately Osteoporosis is one of those ailments, but don’t be discouraged it can be detracted, managed and sometimes avoided if you take care of yourself.

Osteoporosis , which literally means “porous bones,” is a painful and potentially crippling disease caused by a loss of calcium from the bones.  This loss results in the thinning and the softening of the bones with frequent fractures of the spine, wrists, ankles, hips, loss of body height causing a “hump” on the back.

About 150,ooo persons in the US, mostly women, suffer from hip fractures each year and about 40,000 will die within a year of the fracture. Osteoporosis affects 15 to 20 million people in America total ling a $4 billions in medical expenses.  One of every 4 women will eventually become a victim largely starting around the post menopausal stages. The loss of estrogens leads to the decrease of intestinal absorption of calcium through the kidneys, which is connected to the break down of the skeletal system.

Although more women than men contract osteoporosis, elderly men may also suffer from this condition.  It is also more common in the Anglo-Saxon and Asian races than in the darker races.  Vegetarians have shown to have a lower incidence of osteoporosis than those who eat meat,

A healthy life style and proper treatment can go a long way towards the prevention of osteoporosis. And calcium is a key ingredient for every diet. Regular modest weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, bicycling, etc. helps to maintain normal bone structure.

Cigarettes, too much alcohol, and caffeine intake should be eliminated. Just don’t over do anything with these 3 vices, in my opinion.  Recent studies have shown that taking LOW dosages of estrogen TOGETHER with a 1500 mg daily intake of calcium is much more effective in preventing bone loss in post menopausal women than when large amounts of calcium are taken by itself.

In fact, the number of fractures due to osteoporosis after menopause has shown to be just about the same in those who take only calcium supplements as in those who do not because there could be an issue with kidney stones if too much calcium is taken. Anyone taking calcium supplements should be sure to drink at least 8 cups of fluid a day.

Osteoporosis can be a scary ailment to fight but with the help of a qualified physician and or practicing herbalist to help you, the prevention, management, and or curing of the condition will secure that old adage, “Sticks and Stones may Break my Bones, but words (Osteoporosis) will never hurt me”.

Jasmine Beaupre is an autodidact on a variety of subjects and due to her extensive research into all of her interests she gives an in depth, informative and easy to read approach throughout her articles for all her readers to enjoy.