12th September 2007
Flowergirl- Yes, calcium is important but vitamin d seems to be at least as impt. The recommended daily allowance is just too low for vit d is what some docs say. Also some people do not synthesize d from sun exposure as well as others. And, as you get older it is even harder to get adequate vit d from sun exposure.Also vit d is important in many other areas some feel it will prevent various forms of cancer, autoimmune diseases , depression, mental illness etc. I really like the vitamin d council site on the net. World class scientists are on the vit d council so you know you are getting good info.
Good docs really should test vit d levels as well.
Also it is hugely important to get adequate bone building activities in your life. This would be weight bearing activies that would jar the bone- that probably isn't a good way of saying it but you could get the picture. I have seen studies of bone density in olympic athletes and this is what was found
Basketball players and volleyball players have very good bone density in both hip and spine
Swimmers on the other hand have poor bone density in hip and spine--the zero gravity of water doesn't provide the weight bearing and the pounding required.
Bicyclist--really bad bone density in the hip.I don't recall about spine but I think that was not good as well. But the hip was atrocious. You can do a search on line about low bone density in bicyclists --it is surprising.
Anyway , if you are young enough get out and play some basketball to strengthen your bones. You will be happy you did. Of course there is running too, but so many people get injured and then can't run for awhile and have their injuries around for years.
And, don't forget to get your iron up.
Also pump iron- get muscles.When muscles pull on bone the bone is strengthened. When you see muscles, you will know your bones are getting stronger.
My treatment is a drug called forteo that you can only take for 2 years. You have to give yourself a shot everyday. After that it looks like I will have to take something like fosamax. I do not want to do the fosamax at all. It has its own problems. Maybe something new will come out. I am hoping.I do approx 9-10 miles brisk walking everyday, weight lifting and tai chi. I have been told not to jog and basketball is out too. I do what I can. I wasn't a couch potato when I was younger, low bone density runs in my family--I just should have had a rigorous program way back when.
Good docs really should test vit d levels as well.
Also it is hugely important to get adequate bone building activities in your life. This would be weight bearing activies that would jar the bone- that probably isn't a good way of saying it but you could get the picture. I have seen studies of bone density in olympic athletes and this is what was found
Basketball players and volleyball players have very good bone density in both hip and spine
Swimmers on the other hand have poor bone density in hip and spine--the zero gravity of water doesn't provide the weight bearing and the pounding required.
Bicyclist--really bad bone density in the hip.I don't recall about spine but I think that was not good as well. But the hip was atrocious. You can do a search on line about low bone density in bicyclists --it is surprising.
Anyway , if you are young enough get out and play some basketball to strengthen your bones. You will be happy you did. Of course there is running too, but so many people get injured and then can't run for awhile and have their injuries around for years.
And, don't forget to get your iron up.
Also pump iron- get muscles.When muscles pull on bone the bone is strengthened. When you see muscles, you will know your bones are getting stronger.
My treatment is a drug called forteo that you can only take for 2 years. You have to give yourself a shot everyday. After that it looks like I will have to take something like fosamax. I do not want to do the fosamax at all. It has its own problems. Maybe something new will come out. I am hoping.I do approx 9-10 miles brisk walking everyday, weight lifting and tai chi. I have been told not to jog and basketball is out too. I do what I can. I wasn't a couch potato when I was younger, low bone density runs in my family--I just should have had a rigorous program way back when.