Osteoporosis - Vital Hormones Clinic

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue that leads to an increased risk of bone fractures. As we age, old bone is removed from the skeleton more quickly than new bone can be formed, causing bones to become less dense and more porous, similar to a sponge. This can cause them to become fragile and break easily.

Some key facts about osteoporosis:

• Primary cause is low levels of estrogen in women after menopause and low testosterone in men as they age
• Affects over 200 million people worldwide
• Leads to over 8.9 million fractures per year globally
• Can be prevented and treated with proper nutrition, exercise, and in some cases medication

What causes osteoporosis?

There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis:

• Aging - Bone density peaks around age 30 then declines with age
• Family history - Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts you at higher risk
• Small, thin body frame - Less bone mass to draw from
• Certain medications - Corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, proton pump inhibitors
• Low calcium intake - Essential for building bone density
• Lack of exercise - Bearing weight stresses and strengthens bones

If you are at higher risk, getting a bone mineral density (BMD) test is important to monitor your bone health over time.

Preventing and treating osteoporosis

While some risk factors are out of our control, many lifestyle changes can help prevent and treat osteoporosis:

• Weight-bearing exercise - Activities like walking, jogging, tennis and strength training help build bone density.
• Adequate calcium and vitamin D - Crucial nutrients for healthy bones that many people lack in their diets.
• Balanced diet - Eat a variety of nutritious foods with adequate protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Limit alcohol - Heavy alcohol consumption interferes with bone production.
• Quit smoking - Smoking causes early bone loss and fractures.
• Fall prevention - Reduce hazards at home to avoid fractures from falls.

In advanced cases, medications like bisphosphonates may be prescribed to help rebuild bone density. At Vital Hormones Clinic, we also offer bioidentical hormone therapy to treat imbalances contributing to osteoporosis. Our customized treatments can help strengthen your bones and improve your overall vitality.

I hope this provided a helpful overview of this common but preventable bone disease! Let me know if you have any other questions.