Osteoporosis is a health condition where bones become weak and are more likely to break. It is more likely to affect people over forty, more women than men and occurs due to calcium loss from the bones.

All fractures are serious, particularly hip fractures where it is estimated that up to 25% of people will eventually die from the hip fracture mainly due to complications.

Chronic back pain and a Dowager's hump can occur from a series of osteoporotic vertebrae.

What Causes Osteoporosis?
This is mainly due to the presence of a number of "pre-disposing factors"

Can Osteoporosis be tested for?
Yes. Referral for DEXA scanning is the most accurate, ask your clinic practitioner.

What can I do to prevent osteoporosis?

Prevention must start from an early age including when mum is pregnant! This includes incorporating as many of the "preventative factors" in our daily lives as possible.

Use it or lose it!
A high calcium intake in our diet together with regular weight bearing exercise such as walking, aerobics, gym, weights or exercises at home are associated with stronger bones and a reduced risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Can Affect You !!

Prevention is the Key

• 50% of women over 60 are likely to experience an osteoporotic fracture.
• 25% of men will have osteoporosis in their life.
• 16% of people suffering hip fractures will die within six months and 50% will require long term nursing care.
• By 2020 it is likely that 1 in 3 hospital beds will be occupied by elderly women with fractures.

Predisposing factors to Osteoporosis

• Family history of osteoporosis
• Smoking (leaches some calcium)
• Caucasian or Asian decent
• Over consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar/ sugar containing foods and salt (all cause calcium loss)
• Exessive junk foods
• Stress (raises cortisol levels leading to calcium loss)
• Not exercising as a teenager
• Excess bed rest or inactivity/lack of exercise/fitness
• Excess animal protein (eg. red meat) - calcium loss.
• Soft drinks (sugar & phosphorus - calcium loss).
• Frequent inappropriate dieting or diarrhoea (loss of calcium)
• Certain drugs (eg. cortisone, laxatives, antibiotics, anti-ulcer)
• Being underweight
• Being post-menopausal or no period for 6 months
• More than 2 pregnancies
• Aluminium anti-perspirants & foils/ cooking utensils

Things to do to Prevent Osteoporosis

• Presence of calcium rich foods and plenty of vegetables in the diet
• Limited or no junk foods, sugar, coffee, chocolate in the diet
• Weight bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, dancing, aerobics, netball, gym/weight training (3-5 times per week)
• Relaxation (meditation, yoga, tai chi, hobbies)
• Sunlight! (for Vitamin D)
• Calcium supplementation (eg. calcium citrate - ask our practitioners)
• Increased magnesium intake (nuts, beans, lentils, dark green vegetables, seafood, whole grains)
• HRT (discuss with your health professional)
• Increased Boron intake (eg. Rose Hip tea)
• Avoid or minimise predisposing factors (causes).

High Calcium Foods

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