Health: What is Osteopenia?

Osteopenia is considered the first step along the road to osteoporosis, a serious condition in which bone density is extremely low. Osteopenia, if not treated, may result in osteoporosis. Osteopenia encompasses a wide range of fracture risks including age, bone mineral density, and clinical risk factors. Osteopenia, the milder bone-loss disease, is less well known but affects an estimated eighteen million young and middle-aged women, including those in their late teens and early twenties.

Some people who have Osteopenia may not have bone loss, but they may naturally have a lower bone density. It is diagnosed with a bone mineral density (BMD) test, usually done to see whether a person has osteoporosis. A standard X-ray is not useful in diagnosing Osteopenia because it is not sensitive enough to detect small amounts of bone loss or minor changes in bone density. Bones do not reach their greatest density until about 30 years of age. For children and people younger than 30, anything that helps increase bone density will have positive long-term benefits. A balanced diet and regular exercise will help slow the loss of bone density, delay Osteopenia, and delay or prevent osteoporosis.

Women are far more likely to develop Osteopenia and osteoporosis than men because they lose bone mass sooner and faster. Women who diet excessively to maintain a low body weight often eliminate dairy products from their diet. This puts them at an increased risk of bone loss because they may lose their primary source of calcium, a vital source of bone strength. Women should eat a healthy diet, maintain a sturdy weight, exercise, and avoid smoking. Low bone mass appears in about 50 percent of women in their 50’s and more than 85 percent of women in their 70’s. Approximately 90 percent of women over the age of seventy-five have experienced a bone fracture. Osteopenia affects an estimated eighteen million young and middle age women. That includes women in their late teens and early twenties. It is imperative that we teach our young girls that they must eat healthy and include foods that are high in calcium in their diet.

To maintain good bone health you should eat a balanced diet that includes adequate calcium and vitamin D, using supplements when necessary. You should also engage in regular physical activity, refrain from smoking, and avoid heavy alcohol use. While most doctors would recommend medication for women with osteoporosis to prevent fracture, doctors argue about whether medications are necessary for women with Osteopenia, the less severe form of bone density loss.

Calcium is the most critical mineral for bone mass. It is a vital source of bone strength. Women who eliminate dairy products from their diet, lose their primary source of calcium. That could contribute to low bone density. In addition, diuretics, antacids, chemotherapy, hormone therapy for cancer, lithium, and some medications for seizures can also deplete the bones of calcium. Skeletal mass is the highest in your 30s and depends on diet (calcium and vitamin D), physical activity, and genetics. It is important to consume enough calcium and vitamin D throughout your life, in order to achieve maximal peak bone density in early and middle years and to maintain bone in later years. For most adults, a daily intake between 1200 and 1500 mg of calcium and 400-800 IU of Vitamin D is both safe and effective. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and other minerals. It is added to milk and can be taken in calcium and vitamin supplements. Magnesium is also imperative for bone health. It works to keep the calcium in your bones and out of your soft tissues.

Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are not always problems of insufficient calcium intake, but rather of incorrect calcium utilization. Osteopenia may be the result of a wide variety of other conditions, disease processes, or treatments. In addition, diuretics, antacids, chemotherapy, hormone therapy for cancer, lithium, and some medications for seizures can deplete the bones of calcium. There are usually no symptoms with Osteopenia and the disease can go undiagnosed until a fracture occurs.

Treatment options for Osteopenia are often the same methods used for treating osteoporosis. Treatment depends on age and risk factors, but it often includes calcium and vitamin D supplementation along with a program of weight-bearing exercises. For some people medication is prescribed. Treatment is strongly recommended to stop further bone loss and minimize the risk of fractures.

Osteopenia usually occurs gradually over the course of many years. It is the term used for bones that have become less dense than normal. Osteopenia occurs either when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or when both occur. Remember to do everything you can to prevent Osteopenia and osteoporosis because both can lead to fractures.

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By Karen M. Goeller, Fitness and Gymnastics Author



Thanks to Karen Goeller for contributing this article to our Osteoporosis blog:

Fosomax For Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common condition which can affect both men and women. Since osteoporosis is a degenerative disease, bone density is lost over time. It is possible to reverse the side effects of osteoporosis, however. Before you try any osteoporosis treatment, it is a good idea to consult your doctor.

However, if you have found that the latest treatment for brittle bones just does ever seem to work for you, then it may time to try some different and more natural osteoporosis treatments.

The first natural treatment that you will want to think about is your diet. For years, people with this serious health disease have been told that their diets should mainly consist of high amounts of Calcium. The latest treatment for osteoporosis and treating the bone disease shows that more than Calcium is needed in the diets of those who suffer from osteoporosis.

A diet which consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, as well as a minimal amount of saturated and trans fat, is ideal for someone with this health condition. Keep in mind that a well balanced diet will not only help treat osteoporosis, but it will help prevent this disease from occurring at all.

Another main key to naturally preventing and treating osteoporosis is a regular exercise routine. Remaining active will help ensure that your bones stay healthy and strong. Of course, this is not only an osteoporosis treatment, but a treatment for almost everything.

If you follow a regular exercise routine, as well as a healthy diet, you will also be able to prevent yourself from experiencing other conditions aside from osteoporosis.

Finally, if have had no success with the latest treatment for osteoporosis, you may want to think about taking a supplement. There are several different supplements that doctors recommend as treatment options for osteoporosis. Calcium and Vitamin D are both known to prevent further loss in bone density.

Whether you take these supplements individually or you opt for a multi-vitamin, this is a very effective and natural osteoporosis treatment. And it is better if you take a complete balanced nutritional supplement rather than a simple vitamin supplement as the body needs a wide range of vitamins and minerals in balance to operate to it’s optimum.

As you can see, there are several different options available for those who are looking for a natural and organic method of treating osteoporosis. Rather than just looking for the latest treatment for osteoporosis you may want to consider combining a well balanced diet, exercise routine and the best organic and natural supplements into your life.  This may well be far healthier than just a drug based approach.

And there is a company out there manufacturing some of the finest natural organic osteoporosis treatments around, and I’ll bet you’ve never even heard of them.



Thanks to Peter Clark for contributing this article to our Osteoporosis blog:

Drug Therapy For Osteoporosis