Health Tips
 Once a month, Dr. Bronson will post a new health tip.
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Diet and Lifestyle Still Top Bone Loss Prevention Strategies
Diet and lifestyle should remain first among osteoporosis management options despite major advances in treatments over the past few years, according to the North American Menopause Society. The group's position statement on osteoporosis management emphasized that all postmenopausal women should be encouraged to reduce their risk of bone loss and osteoporotic fractures by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a balanced diet
- Obtaining adequate calcium (1,200 mg per day at age 50 and beyond) and vitamin D (800 to 1,000 IU vitamin D3 per day)
- Participating in appropriate exercise
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- Not smoking
- Taking measures to prevent falls
The NAMS also publishes guidelines for osteoporosis drug therapy, and recommends bisphosphonates as the first-line option for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. (Please see last month’s Health Tip by Dr. Bronson titled, “Osteoporosis Medications, Avoid Long-Term Use.” July 2010)
The group also states that repeat bone mineral density scans should be done no more than every two to five years for postmenopausal women not on treatment. (Note: This recommendation appears to be on the basis of cost, since most scans in radiology clinics cost $250 to $300 and include the spine and hips. The Bronson Clinic provides a bone density scan of the wrist for only $25, so most of our patients prefer to do the test annually and graph their bone density over time.)
Source reference: North American Menopause Society "Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: 2010 position statement of The North American Menopause Society" Menopause 2010; 17: 25-54.
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