Osteopenia Treatment: Medications and Natural Treatments
Osteopenia Treatment: Medications and Natural Treatments
Osteopenia is a term used to describe bone density that is somewhat lower than normal -- but not low enough to be diagnosed as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which thinning bones become so fragile that they are prone to fracture easily. A person who has osteopenia is at risk for osteoporosis and may benefit from treatments to strengthen bone.
Generally by age 30, your bones are as strong and dense as they will ever be. After that, the bones begin to get thinner with age.
Women are more likely than men to develop osteopenia, because their bones are thinner to begin with. Hormonal changes at the time of menopause also speed up bone loss.
Depending on bone density measures and other factors -- such as previous fractures, poor health, and poor mobility -- women with osteopenia may have the same risk for a broken bone as women with osteoporosis. Women at risk of bone fractures need treatments to help slow bone loss or help new bone form.
The following healthy habits and treatments for osteopenia may strengthen bones and reduce fracture risk.
The best remedies for osteopenia are lifestyle habits everyone should adopt. If you have strong bones, a healthy lifestyle can help keep them that way. If you already have osteopenia, these same habits can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Exercise . Like muscle, bone becomes stronger when you exercise. The best exercise for bones is weight-bearing exercise that forces your body to work against gravity. This type of exercise includes walking, stair climbing, dancing, and working out with weights.
Diet. For strong bones, you need a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. High-calcium foods include:
Your body makes its own vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. If you spend much time outdoors in the sunshine you probably have most of the vitamin D you need. A few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Others, such as grains and milk products, are fortified with vitamin D. Good dietary sources of vitamin D include:
How Osteopenia Happens
Generally by age 30, your bones are as strong and dense as they will ever be. After that, the bones begin to get thinner with age.
Women are more likely than men to develop osteopenia, because their bones are thinner to begin with. Hormonal changes at the time of menopause also speed up bone loss.
Depending on bone density measures and other factors -- such as previous fractures, poor health, and poor mobility -- women with osteopenia may have the same risk for a broken bone as women with osteoporosis. Women at risk of bone fractures need treatments to help slow bone loss or help new bone form.
The following healthy habits and treatments for osteopenia may strengthen bones and reduce fracture risk.
A Healthy Lifestyle
The best remedies for osteopenia are lifestyle habits everyone should adopt. If you have strong bones, a healthy lifestyle can help keep them that way. If you already have osteopenia, these same habits can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Exercise . Like muscle, bone becomes stronger when you exercise. The best exercise for bones is weight-bearing exercise that forces your body to work against gravity. This type of exercise includes walking, stair climbing, dancing, and working out with weights.
Diet. For strong bones, you need a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. High-calcium foods include:
- Dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, low-fat milk, and yogurt
- Green vegetables such as broccoli and collard greens
- Sardines and salmon, with bones
- Tofu
Your body makes its own vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. If you spend much time outdoors in the sunshine you probably have most of the vitamin D you need. A few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Others, such as grains and milk products, are fortified with vitamin D. Good dietary sources of vitamin D include:
- Fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
- Fish liver oils
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
- Fortified breakfast cereals, juices, milk products, yogurt, and margarine
Source...