Can osteoporosis be cured ?

Osteoporosis can be reversed, but it is important to take the steps to prevent the disease in the first place. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor can prescribe medications that, if taken regularly along with a proper diet and exercise, can be instrumental in both preventing more bone loss and increasing bone density. I also can recommend some quality bone building supplements that have shown good results

Prevention

Exercise: particularly weight bearing and resistance activities and also aerobic activities such as walking and jogging are important.

Lifestyle: stop smoking, limit alcohol use, eat a healthy balanced diet, limit caffeine intake, and moderate sunshine exposure is essential. Address all risk factors.

Testing Bone Density: Having your bone density checked is an easy and painless test that takes only a few minutes. For more information on taking the test, please click here.

What medications are available for osteoporosis?

Women with decreased estrogen levels, as a result of either surgical or natural menopause, should, in consultation with their physician, discuss the risks and benefits associated with other medical therapies in addition to the steps recommended below. The risks/ benefits of each of these therapies are not easily delineated and depend on an individual’s current condition and medical history.

Calcium Recommendations

Regardless of the results of a bone measurement test, all individuals should consider the following measures:
Birth to 6 months
400 mg/day
6 to 12 months
600 mg/day
Children aged 1 - 5 years
800 mg/day
Children aged 6 - 10
800-1200 mg/day
11 - 24 years
1200-1500 mg/day
25 - 50 years
1000 mg/day
Pregnant and Nursing Women
1500 mg/day
Men and women aged over 65
1200 mg/day
Source: Compiled from National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Statement, 1994

Vitamin D aids the body in the absorbtion of calcium which is very important as the body will take the calcium it needs from our bones if it isn’t absorbing enough. Our skin produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun, however our body’s ability to produce vitamin D reduces with age and it is therefore recommended to take between 1000 and 3000 IU of vitamin D daily. We can also obtain vitamin D from certain foods such as egg yolks, fortified dairy products, saltwater fish and liver.

Mineral Recommendations

  • Vitamin D (3000 IU)
  • Magnesium (400mg - 500mg)
  • Zinc (12mg)
  • Boron (4mg)
  • Copper (1mg)
  • Manganese (2mg)
  • Silicon (50mg -100mg)
  • Vitamin K2 (180 mcg)
  • Vitamin B6 (60mg)
  • Vitamin C (300mg)