Osteoporosis: Not just a problem for women By Loretta Kaes Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. It's usually a disease that we tend not to think about,because it advances painlessly until a bone breaks or fractures- typically the hip, spine or wrist. Women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis,but men get it too,a number that is increasing significantly, according to a study done at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University in Melbourne,Australia. These findings were presented at a meeting of theAmerican Society of Bone and Mineral Research. This study found that the increasing diagnosis of osteoporosis in men is largely due to the fact that men are just plain living longer and not getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.Calcium helps keep bones strong and vitamin D helps the body use the calcium. The study also found that a large glass of fortified, low-fat milk can aid in warding off osteoporosis and be a simple, inexpensive and effective way to slow or stop agerelated bone loss in men. In the study, the men's bone mineral density- an indicator of bone strength - was checked every six months over a two-year period.Researchers found that 88 percent of the men in the milk group were compliant in drinking their fortified milk and yet had no weight gain.At the end of the study, the rate of bone loss in the milk-drinking group was 1.6 percent less than the comparison group that did not drink the milk.The milk drinkers also had higher levels of vitamin D and lower levels of parathyroid hormone,a hormone that breaks down bone.The fortified milk used in the study,however,contained much higher levels of calcium and vitamin D than milk found on store shelves. Because women are more prone to osteoporosis, doctors have been advising them for decades to drink milk,and women have been highly targeted by advertisers to take calcium-vitamin D supplements. Men,on the other hand,have not received this level of bone care information. And,with today's dietary trend of eating less fatty foods,milk may have attracted a bad reputation for high-fat content and is consumed less by men concerned with circulatory heath and weight gain.Of course, fat-free milk is a worthwhile alternative. The National Osteoporosis Foundation also agrees that inadequate calcium contributes to the development of osteoporosis. Depending on age,an appropriate calcium intake falls between 1,000 and 1,300 mg a day. If your doctor believes you are not getting enough calcium from foods,he or she may suggest one of the many over-the-counter calcium supplements. Vitamin D is also critical.Without enough D,your body cannot absorb calcium from the foods you eat,and your body will have to draw calcium from your bones, thereby weakening them. Vitamin D comes from two sources, through the skin by exposure to sunlight and from diet.Being in the sun for 20 minutes every day helps most people's bodies make enough vitamin D.You can also get vitamin D from eggs and fatty fish like salmon, as well as from liver,cereal and dairy products such as milk and yogurt fortified with vitamin D.Experts recommend an intake between 400 and 800 IU ofVitamin D each day. Exercise is important to good bone health. If you exercise regularly from childhood to about age 30,you are more likely to reach your peak bone density than those who are inactive.The best exercise for bones is weight-bearing exercise such as walking,dancing, jogging,climbing stairs, racquet sports and hiking. But before you start worrying about osteoporosis, exercising,buying vitamins or supplements,or altering your diet,ask your doctor about it.Since osteoporosis can develop undetected for decades until a fracture occurs,early diagnosis is critical. The only way to diagnose osteoporosis and determine your risk for a fracture is to have a bone mineral density (BMD) test, which is noninvasive and painless.With the BMD test results,your physician can guide you as to vitamins, supplements and diet,or prescribe any one of several FDA approved drugs available for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Loretta Kaes, a registered nurse with certification in gerontology, is vice president, health services at Chelsea Senior Living LLC.Chelsea is based in Summit, and operates senior living communities in East Brunswick, Manalapan, Tinton Falls and five other locations.For more information, call (908) 522-0808, or visit www.chelseaseniorliving.com.