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How to prevent and treat osteoporosis There are things that you can do to prevent osteoporosis by trying to build and maintain strong and healthy bones. Your genetic make up will determine some of your bone strength but many lifestyle factors can influence the amount of bone in your ‘bone bank’ PREVENTION Follow a bone friendly diet A healthy diet can help bones keep healthy. A varied diet with foods from these four different food groups can help: bread and cereals fruit and vegetables milk and dairy products meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds and pulses It is especially important to ensure that your diet is rich in calcium- this is the most abundant mineral found in the bone. Best sources of calcium are milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, bony fish and dried fruit. Take regular, weight bearing exercise Bones will suffer from lack of use as well as other parts of the body such as muscle. They need regular weight bearing exercise. Weight bearing exercise loads and puts force through the bone and strengthens it. Good weight bearing exercises are brisk walking, running, skipping and aerobics. Walking is particularly good outside as it increases the opportunity for exposure to daylight and the beneficial effects of ultra violet light on the skin which helps in the production of vitamin D Give up smoking Smoking has a toxic affect on bone in both men and women. Watch what you drink Drinking too much alcohol is damaging to bone turnover. REMEMBER WHAT YOUR GRANNY USED TO SAY- "EAT UP YOUR GREENS AND GET OUT AND PLAY IN THE SUNSHINE!!" For more advice click on the link to the National Osteoporosis Society TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS When osteoporosis has been diagnosed there are a number of treatments that can be used. The most common treatments are: Bisphosphonates These are non-hormonal drugs that work by slowing down the cells which break down bone (osteoclasts) and enable the bone building cells (osteoblasts) to work more effectively. The bisphosphonates used currently are called alendronate etidronate risedronate Calcium and Vitamin D supplements These are beneficial to older people as they can reduce the risk of hip fracture. They are effective for people who are not very active and may not be getting enough calcium in their diet, Hormone replacement therapy HRT This uses oestrogen replacement for women at menopause- it can help maintain bone density and reduce fracture rates during the time it is being taken. It can help with the side effects of menopause. It is may not suitable for all women and needs to be discussed with your GP. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators SERMs These drugs which act in a similar way to oestrogen helping to maintain bone density and reduce risk of vertebral fracture. It may be suitable for those women who cannot take HRT Testosterone This treatment is for men with low testosterone levels to help maintain bone density. For more advice click on the link to the National Osteoporosis Society   Falling - what are the consequences? What is osteoporosis? How to prevent and treat osteoporosis Are you at risk?  A checklist ... What should I do in an emergency? Can I help myself? Getting help and advice What help is available in Cornwall?

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