To Your Health
February, 2010 (Vol. 04, Issue 02) |
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Bone Up on Bone Health
By Dr. Richard Drucker
Bone disease has reached near-epidemic proportions in America. Millions of people are suffering the often-crippling and devastating effects of diseases such as osteoporosis, a condition that results in a "demineralization" of the bone matrix, causing bones to become less dense over time and increasing the risk of fractures, especially of the spine, wrist and hip; and osteopenia (softening of the bones).
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease. According to the
National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, while another 34 million have osteopenia. Unfortunately, the problem continues despite enormous consumption of calcium supplements and easy availability of vitamin D (from sunlight) - both of which are known to positively affect bone.
Let's discuss why good bone health is so important, as well as the consequences of poor bone health and the pros and cons for supplementing with bone-support nutrients. First, it is important to realize that a healthy skeletal system consisting of mineral-dense, strong bones is essential to overall health and quality of life, since bones help support the body, provide attachments for skeletal muscles, and protect vital organs such as the brain, heart and lungs. Bones are also a storehouse for life-supporting minerals including potassium, calcium and magnesium. When needed, these minerals are released from our bones into the bloodstream and delivered to cells.
The Consequences of Poor Bone Health
The importance of good bone health can best be demonstrated by realizing the consequences of poor bone health. Over time, bone disease can lead to a steady decrease in the ability to perform everyday normal functions such as walking, standing, or dressing. Bone disease can also lead to hip fractures, which - depending on your age and overall health - can be debilitating and even deadly.
Each year, an estimated 1.5 million people suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture, which can have a dramatic impact on their health. For example, 20 percent of senior citizens die within one year of suffering a hip fracture and another 20 percent are confined to a nursing home. A long-standing misconception is that these situations apply only to older women. Keep in mind that bone disease affects men and women of all ages and ethnicities, and is growing in severity and frequency. At the current rate, one of every two Americans over the age of 50 will be at risk for fractures from low bone mass by the year 2020, according to a 2004 report from former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona.
Osteoporotic hip breaks make up the majority of fractures and account for more than 300,000 hospitalizations each year. Amazingly, the direct care costs for these fractures alone add up to more than $18 billion each year. The total cost of a hip fracture for one individual can be more than $81,000 during their lifetime.
There are two important points that should be stressed regarding hip fractures. Contrary to popular belief, falling down generally does not cause the specific break. When standing, walking or running, there is normally a significant amount of what is known as axial compressive force on the strong neck of the femur near the hip joint. Due to a weakening of the femur neck from osteoporosis or similar bone-weakening conditions, it will tend to break first, resulting in a fall - not the other way around.
