Your Bone Health Savings Plan
Many men believe that bone health is only a concern for women. However, this is not the case. More than two million men suffer from osteoporosis.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease of the bone. Bone is made mostly of collagen, (a protein that provides the soft framework) and calcium phosphate, (the mineral that adds strength and hardens the soft framework). This combination of collagen and calcium makes bone strong, flexible and capable of withstanding stress. More than 99 percent of the body's calcium is contained in the bones and teeth. The remaining one percent is found in the blood.
Throughout life, bone is constantly renewed through a process called remodeling. This process consists of two stages: resorption and formation. During resorption, old bone tissue is broken down and removed by special cells called osteoclasts. Once this has been done, bone formation begins and new bone tissue is laid down to replace the old. Special cells called osteoblasts perform this task. The functions of osteoclasts and osteoblasts are regulated by several hormones, such as estrogen in women and testosterone in men (although estrogen levels in men may also play a part in bone resorption and formation).
Think of bone as a bank account where you "deposit" and "withdraw" bone tissue. During childhood and the teenage years, new bone is added to the skeleton faster than old bone is removed. As a result, bones become larger, heavier, and denser. Bone formation continues at a faster pace than removal until peak bone mass (maximum bone density and strength) is reached by age 30. In order to make "deposits" of bone tissue and reach maximum peak bone mass, the body needs to get enough calcium, vitamin D and adequate physical activity. Other health behaviors such as moderating intakes of alcohol and not smoking are crucial as well.
After age 35, bone "withdrawals" begin to exceed "deposits." Osteoporosis develops when bone removal occurs too quickly or if replacement occurs too slowly. You are likely to develop osteoporosis if you did not reach your maximum peak bone mass during your bone building years.
Am I at Risk for Osteoporosis?
The following are several of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis.
- Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, low calcium intake, lack of physical activity;
- The older you are, the greater your risk is for osteoporosis. The development of osteoporosis in men does not usually occur until after the age 65;
- Caucasian race;
- Family history of osteoporosis;
- Prolonged exposure to certain medications (steroid use);
- Chronic diseases affecting the intestines, lungs, kidneys, or stomach.
Can I Prevent Osteoporosis?
Although there have been few studies done on osteoporosis in men, there are several steps you can take to ensure proper bone health.
- Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol excessively;
- Be physically active;
- Eat a diet that is high in calcium and vitamin D. Be sure you are getting at least 1000 mg a day of calcium up until the age of 50 and 1200mg a day after age 51;
- Engage in weight bearing activities such as jogging, walking, weight lifting, and stair climbing. These activities help to preserve your bone density.
- Talk with your doctor about medications to help prevent bone loss.
How Do I Know if I Have Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is very difficult to diagnose in men due to the lack of research studies that have been conducted on men. Men are often not diagnosed with osteoporosis by a physician until he complains of back pain or has suffered a fracture. It is important for men to notify their doctor if they are experiencing loss of height, a change in posture, a fracture, or sudden back pain.
Osteoporosis is very difficult to diagnose in men due to the lack of research studies that have been conducted on men. Men are often not diagnosed with osteoporosis by a physician until he complains of back pain or has suffered a fracture. It is important for men to notify their doctor if they are experiencing loss of height, a change in posture, a fracture, or sudden back pain.
The Bone Mineral Density Test (BMD) is the most common way for women to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. In men, physicians are not sure how to interpret the results of the (BMD) test, due to the lack of research available, making diagnosis very difficult. The bone density in men is naturally denser than the density in women. Men are beginning to see the impact of bone deterioration, which naturally occurs with age, because they are living longer.
National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases
National Resource Center:
www.osteo.org
