OSTEOPOROSIS RISK

Small-boned, lightweight women have greater osteoporosis risk than most large boned men. But family history, lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity and medication can also affect our risk.

If you are a small-boned, lightweight person, then your risk of developing osteoporosis is particularly high. Several studies suggest that women weighing less than 130 pounds and men weighing less than 150 pounds are especially susceptible to developing osteoporosis. In fact, a risk factor for osteoporosis is that you weigh the same as you did when you were 25. But weight and bone-size are not the only risk factors. All of the following elements increase the risk of fracture from osteoporosis.

HEREDITY

• Family history of osteoporosis
• Thin, small boned
• Female
• Caucasian or Asian

LIFESTYLE

• Lifestyle that includes too much smoking, alcohol or stress.

NUTRITION

• Eat excessive meat and salty foods or drink too much soda
• Do not consume milk and dairy products
• Do not consume other food sources of calcium (such as broccoli, kale or salmon with bones)
• Lower stomach acidity-which may inhibit calcium absorption
• Drink more than 3 cups of caffeinated beverages such as coffee/tea/soda per day
• Suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• Do not do weight-bearing exercise (walking, tai-chi, dancing, weight lifting) for at least 30 minutes daily
• Physically inactive for prolonged periods of time

HEALTH

• Vitamin D deficiency (70% of North Americans)
• Ovaries removed
• Reached menopause before age 45
• Suffered from amenorrhea (loss of menstrual periods for at least six months)
• Regularly take steroids or thyroid medication
• Low stomach acid (common after age 50)
• Excess parathyroid hormones
• Paget's Disease

PHYSICAL SIGNS

• Loss in overall height
• Upper back curved forward
• Fracture of wrist, spine or hip

To learn about natural treatments to address osteoporosis risk...visit Osteoporosis Treatment Guidelines.


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