OSTEOPOROSIS INFORMATION

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

The word osteoporosis means porous bones. It is a disease characterized by a thinning and weakening of the bones. Osteoporosis affects many more women than men and is a particularly distressing problem for older people. This condition causes bone to become fragile and results in fractures. It can lead to back pain, humped shoulders, difficulty walking and shrinking in height. Wrist, spine and hip fractures are the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis. Fractures related to osteoporosis are a serious problem that can lead to disability or even death.

RISK FACTORS OF OSTEOPOROSIS
 
* Having a slender body and small bones
* Consuming a low calcium diet
* Having low physical activity
* Having menopause before age 45 and having your ovaries removed
* Being female
* Being deficient in vitamin D
* Being a cigarette smoker
* Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
* Having a family history of osteoporosis
* Excessive use of some medications (e.g. cortisone, prednisone, anticonvulsants)
* Having previous fractures

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK?

Include calcium in your diet. Individuals over the age of 50 need 1000 to 1500 mg of calcium each day. As you age, your body doesn’t absorb calcium as well, so it’s very important to have calcium-rich foods in your diet. If you don’t get enough calcium-rich foods in your diet, you may require a calcium supplement. Good sources of calcium are dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Calcium is also found in fortified breakfast cereals, fortified soy products, canned fish with bones, nuts, dried figs, dried apricots and dark green leafy vegetables. Get enough Vitamin D. Calcium will be more easily absorbed by the body when there is Vitamin D present in the body. Be ACTIVE each day. Regular physical activity helps to strengthen your bones and make you feel better and stronger! 
Ref: Public Health Canada website, 2006 and Osteoporosis Canada website, 2008

WHAT CAUSES OSTEOPOROSIS?

Osteoporosis is an irreversible, but often, preventable condition. It is caused by a loss of calcium from the bones. To understand how this happens we need to look at the role and delicate balance of calcium in our bodies:

* 99% of your body’s calcium is stored in bones and teeth, which are your storehouses for calcium. To maintain these ‘storehouses’ you need to eat calcium rich foods every day

* 1% of calcium is dispersed in your body fluids, where it plays a crucial role in the clotting of blood and the functioning of nerves and muscles

* The calcium concentration of the body fluids must be kept constant. When the calcium concentration in the body fluids falls too low and not enough is gained from food, it is withdrawn out of the bones. A small bone loss of calcium over many years can lead to osteoporosis

* The risk to women of developing osteoporosis increases once they reach menopause. This is because they lose the protective effect of the hormone oestrogen. The drop in the level of oestrogen results in a greater rate of loss of calcium from the bones. Men also have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis as they age but this occurs later than women. People with low levels of the ‘sunshine vitamin, vitamin D’ may have an increased risk of osteoporosis as their calcium absorption may be less. Some gastrointestinal diseases and medications can also affect calcium absorption. If you have concerns ask your doctor for more information.

HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK?

The more dense your bones are to begin with, the less your chances are of developing osteoporosis. It is important, especially for women, to build up sufficient calcium in their bones by mid-life. You can minimise the likelihood of osteoporosis by following these guidelines:
 
1. EAT CALCIUM-CONTAINING FOODS

The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) of calcium for women and men has been set at 1000mg. Pregnant and lactating women do not have an increased requirement for calcium as long as they are meeting the 1000mg per day RDI. Higher intakes of 1300mg per day are required for 12-18 year old girls and boys as this is when the bones are growing most. Calcium needs are increased after menopause for women and age 70 for men who both need 1300mg each day. The richest sources of calcium are dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese. Calcium is also found in fortified breakfast cereals, fortified soy products (beverages, tofu and yoghurt), canned fish with edible bones, such as salmon and sardines, nuts, dried figs, dried apricots and dark green leafy vegetables.

2. GET THE MAXIMUM CALCIUM POSSIBLE FROM YOUR FOOD

There are factors that can interfere with calcium absorption, so care should be taken in the consumption of these foods to ensure that your body gets the maximum calcium possible. These factors include: exceeding your recommended dietary intakes (RDI’s) of protein, sodium and phosphorus; consumption of too much caffeine from tea and coffee and cola drinks; smoking; aluminium from antacids and exceeding recommended consumption levels of alcohol. The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council promotes responsible drinking with guidelines for men and women recommending no more than 2 standard drinks on any day. Also, oxalates (present in tea, chocolate, spinach, asparagus, and rhubarb) and phytates (found in bran and wholegrain cereals) reduce the absorption of calcium. However, these factors are not significant if the foods eaten contain enough calcium. Vitamin D helps calcium absorption so we all need to get some sunshine every day. For information regarding specific Recommended Dietary Intakes, visit the NHMRC website: www.nrv.gov.au/ nutrients/calcium.htm

3. DO MORE WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE

Another way to protect against Osteoporosis is to exercise regularly. Just as using muscles strengthens them, our bones become denser and stronger in response to mechanical stress. This stress primarily comes from weight-bearing exercise (in which your legs support your body) and strength-building exercise (such as weight lifting). For example, if you walk frequently your leg bones will respond by growing stronger. If you play tennis often, your arm bones will respond by increasing their mass. Make weight-bearing exercise a priority in your daily life. Try activities like walking, running, cycling, golf, basketball, cricket, netball, aerobics, and hockey. Even housework and mowing the lawn count.

SOURCES OF CALCIUM

The best protection against osteoporosis is to build strong healthy bones from infancy through to your mid-twenties and then maintain them through adulthood by getting adequate calcium every day. This is especially important for women, you can do a lot now to prevent osteoporosis – for a stronger and healthier tomorrow. This fact sheet contains general information. Please consult your healthcare professional for specific advice for your personal situation. If you would like current information about our products please go to www.nestle.com.au/products or call our Consumer Services Department during business hours on 1800 025 361.

Other Nutrition Fact Sheets that might interest you
* Calcium Function
* Calcium Sources
* Healthy Eating
* Vitamin D

REFERENCES

Osteoporosis Better Health Channel June 2009 www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Osteoporosis Osteoporosis and exercise Better Health Channel Mar 2009 www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/ Osteoporosis_and_exercise RACGP Clinical Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and older men. Feb 2010 www.racgp.org.au/Content/NavigationMenu/ClinicalResources/ RACGPGuidelines/osteoporosis1/RACGP_Osteo_guideline.pdf NHMRC 2009 Australian Guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/ ds10-alcohol.pdf