The Osteoporosis Treatment Plan Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About
Plus, my mineral rich bone building tea recipe
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I was shocked when my doctor told me I had osteoporosis. Me? I am only 58 years old. I eat healthy food, supplement with vitamin D, and go to the gym. I feel strong and vibrant. How could I have osteoporosis?
After the initial ‘woe is me’ and acceptance finally set in, I decided to figure out how to fix this new problem.
Should I take one of those osteoporosis medications? Do I need to drink more milk? Take a calcium supplement? Lift weights? Start walking or jogging?
So, I conducted my own investigation to get answers to my questions.
Here is what I learned:
The Dairy Debate
The debate continues regarding the benefits of consuming dairy products versus the risks. This article by BBC highlights several studies that show only a modest benefit that is more short-lived than previously thought.
An extensive Harvard study showed no evidence that drinking milk prevents bone fractures or osteoporosis.
This study found that men who consumed more milk as teenagers had more fractures as adults.
And according to this study, adolescent girls who consumed the most dairy products had a greater risk of stress fractures than those who consumed less.
“The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost non-existent.”
– Amy Lanou Ph.D., nutrition director for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C..
I have never consumed a large amount of dairy, but it is always organic when I do. That is another story for another time. The research I see on dairy has not encouraged me to increase my intake.
Calcium Supplements
There may be some benefits to taking a calcium supplement, but you should be aware of the risks and side…
