Osteoporosis is a disease of pediatrics that shows up in geriatrics. The best
way to prevent osteoporosis is to ensure that children, teenagers, and young
women get an adequate calcium intake. It's like putting money in the bank.†
For premenopausal women, this means getting 1200 mg calcium per day; after menopause
women need 1,500 mg per day whether or not they are taking estrogen. [In women
with less than 20 minutes daily sun exposure, Vitamin D supplements are also
important].† Weight-bearing exercise can prevent bone loss and can even help
increase bone mass by 3-5% per year in those who didn't exercise before.† How
much exercise is enough?† Aim for 30 minutes of walking, jogging, dancing, or
aerobics 3-5 times per week.
Prescription medicines also have a role in preventing osteoporosis.† In younger
women, birth control pills may help; in menopausal women, estrogen therapy is
the gold standard.† For women who can't or won't take estrogen, raloxifene and
alendronate offer reasonable prevention alternatives.
no age limit to when you can begin to prevent osteoporosis.
here for related information.
Created: 5/16/2001  - Donnica Moore, M.D.