Today's Topic: Low Bone Density

[Guest guest]

January 29, 2002

NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS

" Nutrition news is important. We help you understand it! "

Today's Topic: Low Bone Density

The largest screening study ever for low bone mineral density was

conducted in over 200,000 healthy U.S. women 50 years or older from

1997-1999, and the results are not good. Almost 40 percent had

osteopenia, and 7 percent had osteoporosis. Osteopenia is mild bone

mineral loss, while osteoporosis is greater bone loss. The diagnosis

of osteoporosis generally means high risk for fractures.

The surprise finding was that almost half the women had previously

unsuspected low bone mineral density. Women diagnosed with

osteoporosis were 4 times more likely to sustain a fracture within the

next 12 months; those with osteopenia were 1.8 times more likely. The

study appeared in the December 12, 2001 edition of the Journal of the

American Medical Association.

< http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v286n22/abs/joc10548.html >

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Measurement of bone

density in the finger, heel or forearm predicted fracture rates.

These data indicate that the fracture rate among older women will

continue to increase. Adequate calcium, vitamin D, and exercise are

essential to slow the loss of mineral from bone. Hormone replacement

therapy has also been proven effective.