Osteoporosis

10 Tips for Preventing Osteoporosis on World Osteoporosis Day

cmaynard — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:53:13 -0700

October 20, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

In a further effort to break the silence about the dangerous consequences of osteoporosis and to achieve more education and public policy for the prevention of this disease, October 20, 2009 has been designated World Osteoporosis Day (WOD).

For our part on WOD, Spine-health is pleased to offer these 10 tips on how patients can become more aware of osteoporosis today to avoid it from occurring later on in life.

Understand Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Roughly 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, with women accounting for 80 percent of those patients, but men still at risk, especially when over the age of 50.

Various factors like age, gender, family history, race, body type, menstrual history, and personal lifestyle and history can make certain patients more susceptible to osteoporosis with aging. Where do you fit with these [url:15558,type=|node|,content=|osteoporosis risk factors|]?

As we typically start to lose some bone density during our 30s, it’s important to have an advanced understanding of osteoporosis risk factors in order to start taking corrective and preventative steps in these early years.

Break Out Your Family Genes

Heredity – including genes specific to Vitamin-D receptors and estrogen-receptors – can indicate patients who are more likely to lose more bone mineral density (BMD) and suffer from osteoporosis in their 50s, 60s or 70s.

Additionally, a family history of osteoporosis and/or fracture on the mother’s side of the family can be early warning signs for some patients to be more proactive in how they exercise and eat. Understand the relationship between [url:923,type=|node|,content=|genetics and osteoporosis|].

Test Your Bone Mineral Density

At age 30, most adults reach their peak bone mass, which refers to the body’s natural remodeling process during which more new bone is laid down than old bone is removed. After peak bone mass is reached, more bone is removed than replaced, making the bones more susceptible to osteoporosis.

A bone density test often involves the use of a quick and painless, dual energy X-ray absorption (DEXA) scan that can determine if a person has normal bone density, low bone mass, osteopenia (a precursor to osteoporosis) or osteoporosis. BMD testing is already recommended every 1-2 years for all women over 65, and for postmenopausal women under 65 and other patients with multiple osteoporosis risk factors.

Learn more about [url:935,type=|node|,content=|bone density testing|], including its benefits, applications and costs.

Get Yourself Some Calcium

Calcium not only ensures bone strength but helps the heart, blood, muscles and nerves. When the body does not get enough calcium, it often resorts to the bones, stripping them of calcium and making them weaker.

A diet that focuses on more calcium intake – possibly through everyday foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, dark green vegetables, grains, beans, and some fish can go a long way towards ensuring bone strength and minimizing osteoporosis.

Now how much calcium is recommended for adults? See these [url:936,type=|node|,content=|calcium intake recommendations|].

“D” Up – Meet Vitamin-D Requirements

Like calcium, vitamin D levels are often insufficient, despite playing a major role in the prevention of osteoporosis. Instead of being excreted, calcium is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and transferred from the kidneys to the bones (resorption) in large part due to [url:1297,type=|node|,content=|vitamin D|].

Knowing if you have a vitamin D deficiency and ensuring a diet that is rich in vitamin D – from fatty fish, liver, supplements or fortified foods like milk, orange juice and cereals – is another integral part of any plan for avoiding osteoporosis.

Make Other Changes to Your Diet

Avoid diets that are high in protein and/or sodium, both of which can increase the loss of calcium. Rather, start incorporating more leafy green vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, fish and other [url:1898,type=|node|,content=|miscellaneous foods|] into your three daily meals.

Furthermore, limit how much cola/soda you drink, as studies have linked an increased likelihood of osteoporosis to drinking too much of these products. Substitute milk, juice or water as often as possible.

Put Your Weight into Exercising

Weight-bearing exercises that are performed on the feet and work the bones and muscles against gravity can help build bone mass and reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis-related fractures in high-risk areas like the spine, wrists and hips.

Regularly incorporating [url:940,type=|node|,content=|weight-bearing activities|] like jogging, walking, climbing the stairs, dancing, hiking and playing volleyball or tennis for 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week can not only be good for the bones but your overall physical and mental health.

Avoid Excessive Alcohol Use

While it isn’t exactly understood how alcohol affects bone, studies have shown that people who consume more than 3 ounces of alcohol (roughly 6 drinks) each day increase the likelihood of having more bone loss than those people with minimal alcohol intake.

Quit Smoking

In a similar light, smoking is another dangerous activity that can increase the risk of osteoporosis, specifically by reducing blood flow to the bones, slowing the production of bone-forming cells and impairing calcium absorption.

When considering that people who smoke are more likely to drink than nonsmokers and that people who drink are more likely to smoke than nondrinkers, it’s easy to see the relationship between [url:941,type=|node|,content=|smoking, drinking and osteoporosis|].

Explore Osteoporosis-Fighting Medications with a Doctor

A variety of medications that vary by class, delivery mechanism and frequency exist not only to treat patients with osteoporosis but to prevent people with high risk factors from getting this disease. Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel are just a few examples of oral [url:922,type=|node|,content=|osteoporosis medications|].

For other patients, [url:6671,type=|node|,content=|osteoporosis injections|] that are taken once-a-day, once-a-week or once-a-year (such as Reclast®) may be more preferable for preventing spine fractures and hip fractures.

Considering that osteoporosis can lead to serious illnesses, spinal deformity, and even death in some cases, the need for such everyday awareness of this disease and its prevention should not be discounted, as made clear by the efforts of World Osteoporosis Day.

More on This Topic

[url:699,type=|node|,content=|Definitive Guide to Osteoporosis|]
[url:930,type=|node|,content=|When is Back Pain a Fracture?|]
[url:6678,type=|node|,content=|Osteoporosis Treatment and Diagnosis of Painful Spine Fractures|]
[url:6679,type=|node|,content=|Quitting Smoking: A Must for People with Back Pain|]

Vertebroplasty Benefits Questioned in Recent Studies

cmaynard — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:59:45 -0700

August 13, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

Recent studies have questioned the minimally-invasive spine surgery [url:1064,type=|term|,content=|vertebroplasty|], specifically noting that there was no apparent benefit from the procedure as compared to a simulated treatment that mimicked a vertebroplasty but lacked one key element.

Led by researchers from the Mayo Clinic, one study compared function and pain in patients who had [url:6027,type=|node|,content=|vertebroplasty surgery|] and a placebo group who had their backs numbed but did not receive an injection of the bone cement.

More specifically:

131 patients were randomly assigned to either a vertebroplasty or the simulated procedure in eight medical centers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia
68 patients were treated with vertebroplasty
63 patients were given the simulated treatment.

According to the study’s findings as published in the New England Journal of Medicine, there was no difference between the treatments after one month: both groups experienced significant and similar reductions in disability and pain, making it impossible to declare a better treatment, and calling into question, at least according to some, the benefit of vertebroplasty.

While one researcher noted that the study isn’t saying that vertebroplasty is ineffective, it does raise the argument of whether the improvements are actually the result of sedation, local anesthesia or other factors as opposed to the injection of bone cement.

Other Research on Vertebroplasty Supports Mayo Study

The findings of the Mayo-led study coincided with the results of a separate study by the Australian government. In this study that was also recently published in the The New England Journal of Medicine:

78 patients with 1 or 2 unhealed vertebral fractures of less than 12 months in duration participated in the multi-centered study
38 of those patients underwent vertebroplasty
40 patients were placed in the control group.

The primary outcome of overall pain (on a scale of 1-10) was measured at 1 week and 3 and 6 months. According to the findings, both groups of patients experienced significant but similar improvements in pain; in other words, once again there was no major difference establishing one of the two treatments as being more beneficial.

Update: On Thursday, October 16, 2009, the North American Spine Society (NASS) issued a response to these two randomized controlled trials. After reviewing the studies, the NASS noted how it was not looking to discredit these studies or the integrity of their authors, but was rather interested in exploring the disconnect between the findings of these two studies and previous findings on vertebroplasty. Read the NASS response below:

Newly Released Vertebroplasty RCTs: A Tale of Two Trials.

What Do These Findings Reveal about Vertebroplasty?

A lot of opinions have been formed in the week since the release of the results from these first two studies to examine the effect of vertebroplasty. Some doctors have said that these independent studies reveal that vertebroplasty is not beneficial and should be performed only in clinical research trials designed to continue studying its effectiveness.

Other doctors have raised concerns about the vertebroplasty research, including the lack of willing participants, small patient sizes and a flaw in the study that allowed patients to crossover from one treatment to the other. Others have cited the need for more research beyond two trials.

Of course, the issue is an important one for several reasons:

An estimated 100,000 vertebroplasty procedures were performed last year in the United States, according to a Wall Street Journal story. While the risks of vertebroplasty (specifically, leaking bone cement leading to soft tissue damage, nerve pain and compression, pulmonary embolism, respiratory or cardiac failure, and/or even death) are extremely small, it would make no sense to expose patients to such risks if the benefits of the surgery did not outweigh them.
With 250,000 vertebral fractures diagnosed each year, it’s vital that patients are receiving and paying for care that is actually beneficial; the same goes for doctors in terms of performing and paying for vertebroplasty. According to the Wall Street Journal story, vertebroplasty can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.
Amidst the debate on health care reform, legislators will certainly be interested in the actual benefits of vertebroplasty (which is covered by Medicare) as they go back and forth on legislation. According to a doctor at Dartmouth in a Forbes article, Medicare paid for 40,000 vertebroplasty procedures last year at a price of roughly $3,000 each.

More Information:

[url:1614,type=|node|]
[url:930,type=|node|,content=|When Is Back Pain a Fracture?|]
[url:699,type=|node|,content=|Definitive Guide to Osteoporosis Fractures|]
[url:926,type=|node|,content=|What You Need to Know about Osteoporosis|]
[url:934,type=|node|,content=|4 Proven Steps to Prevent Osteoporosis Fractures|]
[url:15644,type=|node|,content=|Conservative Treatments for Osteoporosis and Surgery for Vertebral Fractures|]

Osteoporosis Fractures Increase Risk of Death, Study Shows

mlepore — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:20:00 -0700

May 21, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

A recent study reported that older men and women who suffer a low-trauma fracture due to [url:141,type=|term|,content=|osteoporosis|] are at increased risk of dying for 5 to 10 years following the injury, compared to the general population. Those who experience another fracture increase their risk of death for an additional 5 years.

Osteoporosis-related fractures are a growing health concern, especially with the aging of the U.S. population. Principal investigator Dr. Jacqueline R. Center states that all low-trauma fractures, not just hip fractures, are significant events that need to be addressed as such. At the very least, [url:1122,type=|term|,content=|osteoporosis treatment|] (for low bone density) should be instituted following any injury to decrease the risk of a subsequent fracture.

In the study, conducted at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, researchers examined the long-term risk of death following osteoporotic fractures in 2,245 women and 1,760 men aged 60 and older. Among the women, there were 952 low-trauma fractures followed by 461 deaths, while among the men, there were 343 fractures followed by 197 deaths.

Researchers concluded that compared to the general population, patients were at an increased risk of death following a hip fracture, a [url:930,type=|node|,content=|spine fracture|], and other major fractures for 5 years post-fracture. Minor fractures only showed an increased risk of death in those aged 75 and older. After 5 years, the risk of death decreased, except for hip fractures, with which the risk remained for 10 years. After 10 years, death rates were not different from that of an appropriately age-matched population.

Perhaps the most important result of the study was the finding that nonhip and nonvertebral fractures not only constituted 50% of the fractures, but that they were also associated with 29% of the premature mortality, suggesting that more attention should be given to these types of fractures.

Several factors are believed to increase the risk of death following a fracture, including weaker quadriceps in both men and women, lower bone density, increased sway and having smoked in women, and decreased physical activity in men. The specific circumstances surrounding the fracture also must be considered to appropriately assess any existing [url:15558,type=|node|,content=|risk factors for osteoporosis|].

Posted by: Sylvia Marten

Additional Osteoporosis and Fracture resources:

[url:699,type=|node|]
[url:934,type=|node|]
Garvan Institute of Medical Research Study

Treat Osteoporosis, Save Your Hips

Ben Parr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:34:34 -0800

By Sylvia Marten
November 12th, 2008

A new study shows that aggressive screening and [url:937,type=|node|,content=|treatment of osteoporosis|] can help to prevent hip fractures. The researchers claim that their three step approach could help cut hip fractures by up to 25%.

The first step was performing a bone scan. Researchers performed bone scans on all female patients over the age of 65, all male patients over the age of 70, all patients over 50 with a history of fragility fractures, and various other patients on high doses of certain drugs.

The second step involved osteoporosis education and treatment. Patients received [url:1920,type=|node|,content=|prescription drugs|] for their bones, along with home visits to check safety and help prevent future falls.

The third step focused on fall prevention. Patients were treated through fall-prevention programs that involved [url:171,type=|term|,content=|physical therapy|], among other things.

More than 620,000 patients were observed over a four year period (2002-2006). The results revealed that hip fractures dropped by 37% overall, disproving the need for experimental drugs and radical treatments.

However, according to the study team, what was required was an integrated, aggressive approach by the patient’s healthcare team. As noted in the November 2008 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, “The first step must be a more active role by orthopaedic surgeons in osteoporosis disease management.”

If you suspect you are at risk for or might have a bone fracture or osteoporosis, here are some resources and additional reading you can print out and take to your doctor to discuss:

Osteoporosis Diagnosis: http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/osteoporosis/osteoporosis-diagnosis

Osteoporosis: Fracture Symptoms: http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/osteoporosis/osteoporosis-fracture-symptoms

By Sylvia Marten

Sources:

Orthopaedic Management Improves the Rate of Early Osteoporosis Treatment After Hip Fracture – Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery - http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/content/abstract/90/11/2346

Additional Reading:

[url:930,type=|node|]

Osteoporosis Needs to Be Treated after a Spine Fracture

Ben Parr — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:46:31 -0700

By: Stephanie Burke
October 23rd, 2008

More than 10 million Americans aged 50 and older suffer from osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease caused by decreased bone density. Originally thought to be a women’s disease, it is now known that [url:933,type=|node|,content=|30% of sufferers are men|].

Osteoporosis is one of the leading causes of [url:930,type=|node|,content=|vertebral compression fractures|] (VCF), which will affect more than 50% of women and 30% of men during their lifetime. Oftentimes, doctors will treat the fracture without identifying or treating this underlying cause. A previous fracture is the greatest risk factor for a new fracture; studies show that the rate of refracture after osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures is 20% within the first year. This underscores the need for timely diagnosis and treatment.

A retrospective study was conducted in which the 2002 medical records of 156 patients (average age: 77.3) were obtained from a large military health-care system. All patients sampled were 50 years or older and had previously sustained a vertebral compression fracture. The purpose of the study was to determine the proportion of patients followed up with osteoporosis interventions within one year of being treated for their [url:930,type=|node|,content=|spine fracture|].

Overall, The Percentage of Patients Receiving Osteoporosis Treatment is Low

The study found that one year after sustaining a vertebral compression fracture, a relatively low percentage of patients were being [url:924,type=|node|,content=|treated for osteoporosis|] - the underlying cause of the fracture.

28% (vs. 6-7 previously) of patients not previously being treated for osteoporosis were started on a new active osteoporosis medication

35% (vs. 15% previously) were started on any new medication for the treatment of osteoporosis

While this study demonstrates a general trend toward increased diagnosis and treatment, these numbers are still less than ideal.

Osteoporosis Undertreated in Men

Another finding was that significantly lower rates of interventions were prescribed to males who had sustained an osteoporosis-related spine fracture. The risk of subsequent fractures, especially in the spine, is almost double in males than females, suggesting that osteoporosis treatment after a vertebral compression fracture is even more critical in males.

Posted by: Stephanie Burke

Source: The Spine Journal, September/October 2008. Official Journal of the North American Spine Journal

Additional Reading:
[url:930,type=|node|]

[url:934,type=|node|]

[url:926,type=|node|]

[url:6021,type=|node|]

[url:6027,type=|node|]

read more

10 ways to get enough calcium if you're lactose intolerant

Carolyn — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:08:55 -0700

May 2, 2008
by: Sylvia Marten

May is National Osteoporosis Month, so now is a good time to take a look at your diet and figure out if you're getting enough calcium and Vitamin D to keep your bones strong and back straight for decades after you get your AARP card.

In general, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium (for women -- who need more than men and tend to be the hardest hit by osteoporosis) is between 1,000 and 1,200 mg. A serving of milk is about 300mg of calcium, so you're supposed to be drinking three glasses of milk per day. If you're not, then you're probably not getting enough calcium.

But what should you do if don't care for milk… or if you're lactose intolerant? What if you're counting calories and just can't squeeze the extra into your diet?

Don't fret. Here are 10 tips for adding and keeping that important calcium in your daily routine.

Quit drinking soft drinks. High phosphate levels in the blood (which can be caused by consuming large quantities of pop) leach calcium from your bones and prevent the absorption of new calcium.

Get enough Vitamin D. Calcium is absorbed by the body and used only when there is enough vitamin D in your system. A balanced diet should provide an adequate supply of vitamin D from sources such as eggs and liver. Since most people don’t care for liver, go ahead and enjoy your omelets (and add some spinach!)

Don't forget that sunlight also helps the body naturally absorb vitamin D, and with enough exposure to the sun, additional food sources may not be necessary.

Eat your beans (baked). One cup of baked beans has 154mg calcium (remember the target is 1,200mgs/day).

Canned Salmon. Three ounces of canned salmon contain 181mg calcium. Salmon also is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Calcium fortified foods. Many foods are now calcium-fortified. You can find calcium fortified soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, orange juice, cranberry juice, breakfast cereals, breakfast bars at almost every grocery store.
An 8oz glass of calcium-fortified orange juice provides about 300mg of calcium – which is about the same as a single serving of milk.

One cup of calcium fortified soy milk has nearly 300mgs of calcium AND can be used over calcium fortified cereal. Two great sources of calcium in one meal.

Oatmeal isn't just for breakfast. One cup of oatmeal not only provides 100–150mg of calcium, it is also a versatile add-in to many other foods and can be used to goose up the calcium quotient in your breakfast cereal, added to yogurt, or even mixed in with your favorite baking recipes.

Eat your veggies... especially spinach, broccoli and dark green leafy vegetables. Kale, parsley, broccoli, spinach and other dark green leafy veggies each provide about 100mgs of calcium per serving. In addition to just making an effort to eat your greens, you can also try substituting raw spinach for iceberg lettuce on your sandwiches and in your salads.

Go Nuts. Almonds and brazils nuts contain about 100mgs of calcium per serving and are both recommended snacks for people on low carb diets.

Drink your latte. My personal favorite! A Starbucks Grande latte provides almost half your daily calcium needs and is such a pleasure. If you’re lactose intolerant, you can get your latte made w/ soy instead of cow milk.

If the gourmet fancy coffees wreak havoc with your budget, just mix a cup of regular coffee with a cup of milk (or skim milk to reduce the calories, or soy milk to eliminate lactose) – microwave the milk first to make your homemade latte nice and hot.

Take an Over-the-Counter Calcium Supplement. You can add a calcium supplement like Os-Cal® or even Tums® to your daily routine to make up the calcium gap. Word of caution… Just because a single Tums has 200mgs of calcium doesn’t mean you can take 5 a day to meet your RDA. It is ultimately and primarily an antacid, not a calcium supplement, and as such it can have a detrimental effect on your digestive system if taken long term.

Additional Reading:
[url:930,type=|node|]

[url:934,type=|node|]

[url:926,type=|node|]

[url:6021,type=|node|]

[url:6027,type=|node|]

Sources:

Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse – Lactose Intolerance (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/)

Vegan Society – Calcium (http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/calcium.php )
read more

FDA Panel Backs Pfizer Osteoporosis Drug for Spinal Fractures, Now Awaits Approval

Ben Parr — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:21:28 -0700

September 10, 2008
by: Sylvia Marten

Fablyn, an osteoporosis drug for post-menopausal women made by Pfizer, has been backed by an FDA expert advisory panel. It must now go through a few more steps before being approved for nationwide use.

The FDA panel, by a 9-3 vote, voted that Fablyn helped decrease the risk of vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis in post-menopausal women when compared to a placebo. According to Dr. Sandra Carson, the chairwoman of the panel and Director of Reproductive Medicine at the Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, "the panel felt, overall, women would benefit from having this drug available." The drug could prove to be an alternative therapy for women looking to avoid the hazards of other medications.

One of the issues still facing the drug is mortality rate. According to the Guardian, "Most panel members said they could not tell if a higher rate of deaths among Fablyn patients represented a true increase."

The FDA is now weighing the advice of the panel while it decides whether or not Fablyn is safe to be sold. A decision by the FDA is expected in October.

Additional Reading:
[url:930,type=|node|]

[url:934,type=|node|]

[url:926,type=|node|]

[url:6021,type=|node|]

[url:6027,type=|node|]
read more

How to Prevent Osteoporosis with a Once-a-Year Injection

spine-health — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:58:39 -0800

December 4, 2007
by: Sylvia Marten

The need to take a once-a-day or even once-a-month osteoporosis medication may soon be eliminated. Recent studies indicate that a once-a-year osteoporosis injection of zoledronic acid like Reclast® can prevent spine fractures and hip fractures from [url:141,type=|term|]. In a 3-year study conducted by the manufacturer of Reclast®, Novartis, it was determined that there was a 70% reduction of spine fractures and 40% reduction of hip fractures in a group of 7,736 postmenopausal women.

Reclast® - now approved by the FDA - is a [url:699,type=|node|,content=|bisphosphonate|], a class of drugs that is used to treat [url:141,type=|term|,content=|osteoporosis|]; a class that also includes medications such as Boniva, Fosamax and Actonel. According to the FDA, more than half of postmenopausal women on daily or weekly biphosphonates will discontinue osteoporosis treatment after one year, leading to a higher risk of fractures. Given as a 15-minute infusion, the Reclast® (zoledronic acid) injection for osteoporosis has the benefit of long-lasting protection.

Reclast® was originally used in the treatment of metastatic bone cancer and was found to have positive impact on bone density, reducing the degenerative effects of [url:141,type=|term|,content=|osteoporosis|].

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease in which one's bone density is reduced over time. It is a silent disease, and most sufferers of osteoporosis do not know that the condition exists until they experience a [url:930,type=|node|,content=|spinal fracture|] or hip fracture. Postmenopausal women are at the [url:699,type=|node|,content=|highest risk for osteoporosis|], but osteoporosis can affect anyone, especially individuals over the age of 40 and those who do not have enough calcium in their diets.

Some physicians noted a minor risk of atrial fibrillation, a potentially dangerous cardiac rhythm disorder, when taking zoledronic acid intravenously. However, in the 3-year study, there was not a significant increase in mortality or morbidity. It is always a good idea to discuss any [url:922,type=|node|,content=|osteoporosis medication|] risks with your physician prior to treatment.

Source: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Additional Reading:
[url:930,type=|node|]

[url:934,type=|node|]

[url:926,type=|node|]

[url:6021,type=|node|]

[url:6027,type=|node|]

Resources:

Novartis Reclast Website

ABC News: Experts Speak Out: Once-a-Year Injection for Osteoporosis

Health24.com: Once a Year Jab vs. Osteoporosis

Associated Content: Once-a-Year Injection to Replace Traditional Osteoporosis Drugs

National Osteoporosis Foundation

FDA Bisphosphonate Safety Review

read more

Reversal: Now Milk Doesn’t Help With Weight Loss

Wed, 16 May 2007 19:12:49 -0700

May 16, 2007
by: Stephanie

The Federal Trade Commission has apparently advised US dairy producers to stop promoting the message that consumption of low fat dairy products spurs weight loss.

An advocacy group, the PCRM, said that two national dairy advertising campaigns overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will stop claiming that dairy products cause weight loss because "such claims are not supported by existing scientific research."

The advocacy organization cited a May 3 letter from FTC, which stated that following discussions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it would "discontinue all advertising and other marketing activities involving weight loss claims until further research provides stronger more conclusive evidence of an association between dairy consumption and weight loss."

The PCRM claims that since 1989 there have been 35 clinical trials that have explored the relationship between dairy products and/or calcium supplements and body weight. Thirty-one found no relation; two indicated that milk and other dairy products actually contributed to weight gain. When I check the Journal of Clinical Nutrition Archives, the trial results that I viewed did not show any link between dairy consumption and weight.

My take? Always follow the money. Even in healthcare. "Non-profit" is a tax status, not an ethical standing, and even non-profit groups have to make money to pay employees, show membership growth, etc. The National Dairy Council had a job to do – stop the decline in milk consumption, and they used whatever science helped them with their marketing message. Maybe some day the science will show that there is or is not a link between dairy intake and weight loss, but to date it has not been proven.

Posted by: Stephanie

Additional Reading:
[url:930,type=|node|]

[url:934,type=|node|]

[url:926,type=|node|]

[url:6021,type=|node|]

[url:6027,type=|node|]

Further reading:

Recent news: Dairy intake may help regulate body weight, but warrants further research

[url:1296,type=|node|]

read more

Debunking The Osteoporosis Myth

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:07:50 -0700

May 14, 2007
by: Sylvia Marten

Osteoporosis affects only women. Myth.

Osteoporosis affects only the elderly. Myth.

Osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. Myth.

I won't get osteoporosis. Myth?

This serious bone disease affects both women and men. In absolute terms, 8 million women and 2 million men in the U.S. are affected by osteoporosis, and another 34 million Americans have low bone mass (a precursor). The danger? Pain. Often [url:930,type=|node|,content=|chronic pain|]. Disfiguring dowager's hump. And possibly disability. Even death.

Osteoporosis is most prevalent in people over age 65. However, any postmenopausal woman is at risk, and menopause can start in a woman’s late 40s. For men, age too is the leading cause, but there are a host of other factors that can cause male osteoporosis in men younger than 65.

Aging and osteoporosis unequivocally do not go hand-in-hand. There are many things that you can proactively do – as children, as young adults, in your middle years – to prevent osteoporosis from ever happening. Even if it’s detected, osteoporosis can usually be managed (and potentially even reversed/reduced) with many of these same measures so it doesn’t become a serious problem.

While some of us are more at [url:934,type=|node|,content=|risk of developing osteoporosis|] than others, we are all at risk due to the fact that we get older every day. Coupled with the fact that osteoporosis (and resulting fractures) is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions out there, you could potentially be walking around with it and not even know. Better for everyone to assume they are at risk for osteoporosis and proactively take steps to prevent it from ever occurring.

Reiterating what most people already know, here’s a snapshot of what you can do to prevent osteoporosis:

Get adequate calcium and vitamin D. Latest guidelines, by age group, are [url:936,type=|node|,content=|here.|] In essence, this amounts to about 4 servings a day of calcium (milk, food or supplements) and several servings a day of vitamin D (food, sunshine, supplements).

Do some kind of [url:940,type=|node|,content=|weight-bearing exercise|] for 30 minutes a day. Avoid leading a sedentary lifestyle – this is the enemy.

Limit foods and activities believed to strip the bones or inhibit calcium absorption, such as smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and sodium.

[url:938,type=|node|,content=|Tell your doctor|] that you want to prevent osteoporosis, and talk with him/her at every annual physical about steps you are taking to do so.

Take [url:922,type=|node|,content=|osteoporosis medications|] as directed by your doctor, to prevent or slow the disease.

Bottom line: it’s your health, so take responsibility for preventing this very preventable condition.

This blog post was written in honor of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, May 2007.

Posted by: Sylvia Marten

*Still loving my diet Cokes, but now adding one glass of skim milk to my dinner. Still loving Starbucks, but now I make it a nonfat latte.

Additional Reading:
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