Myths about Osteoporosis

Myths about Osteoporosis

"Osteoporosis is just a natural part of aging."

Osteoporosis and aging have a correlation relationship, not a causation relationship.  Lifestyle changes, caused by decreasing mechanical loading on the body, force prevalence of this disease in the aging populations, but the disease is not caused by aging in itself. This is one of the most common misconceptions about osteoporosis: That we are all DOOMED to futures of being hunched over or suffering from broken hips. Osteoporosis is a degradation in bone density, and it can be significantly affected by high-impact levels of axial mechanical loading.

"I take calcium so I don't have to worry about osteoporosis."

There are actually 17 nutrients that are critical for bone health, and calcium is just one of them.  However, the misconception of calcium being the answer to the osteoporosis problem has led many to take calcium dietary supplements in excess, which not only does not solve the bone health problem but creates other adverse health conditions such as increased risk of kidney stones (Curhan, et al., 1997). Even when the body is given all of the proper nutrients for bone health, these are just building blocks. The function of bone tissue increasing in mass or gaining in density is using these building blocks only as an adaptive response to a stimulus. So without the stimulus for the adaptive response, the body cannot use these building blocks.  The function of bone mass density generation involves axial bone loading. Once intense loading happens, the bone mass genesis (osteoblast) begin to retain minerals, and bone mass becomes more dense.  

"I exercise, so I don't have to worry about osteoporosis."

 The mechanics of running include a heal strike impact, resulting in three to four time as much force as the body weight of the individual, depending on speed (Heinonen, et al., 1996). For this reason, more injuries result from running or impact-type fitness activity than non-weight bearing exercise. This has forced many physicians to encourage low-impact or non-weight bearing exercise (such as cycling) for older individuals (Hopkins, et al., 1990, Robinsion, et al., 1998, Rector, et al., 2008) in order to prevent osteoporosis. In 2008 a study was published comparing bone health in adult male recreational athletes, aged 20-59, belonging to two groups, one group being cyclists (non-weight bearing exercisers), the other group being runners, (weight-bearing exercisers), whose impact loads are beyond their body weight. Of the cyclists 63% had Osteopenia of the spine or hip (determined by DXA scans), compared with only 19% in the running group. "Cyclists were 7 TIMES more likely to have Osteopenia of the spine than runners, controlling for age, body weight, and bone-loading history. Based on the results of this study, current bone loading is an important determinant of whole-body and lumbar spine bone mass density. Therefore, bone-loading activity should be sustained during adulthood to maintain bone mass." (Rector, et al., 2008)

"I will only be concerned with this disease after I break a bone, which isn't that BIG of a deal."

Individuals with osteoporosis can be asymptomatic (no pain or warning), with diagnosis of osteoporosis only after a fracture. Obviously this is not desirable or logical. Cooper, et al. reported that individuals over the age of 50 who break the hip or femur head have a higher mortality in the year following their fracture resulting from their immobility during the recover (1993). In 1993 the Mayo Clinic did a retrospective analysis of osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients. At five years'  post-diagnosis of the fracture, the survival rate was 61%. "Clinically diagnosed vertebral fractures are rarely fatal, and the reduced survival seen subsequently could relate to comorbid conditions." (Cooper, et al., 1993) This means the presence of other diseases or disorders can contribute to the higher death rate, and the inability to move or fully use lung capacity, raise heart rate, or use nutrients properly compounds risk.

"One of my parents had Osteoporosis; I suppose I am going to have it also."

There are genetic indicators for this disease. However as the disease involves a lack of axial loading being imposed on the body, both the onset and degree of the disease can be delayed significantly. Genetic predisposition is one contributing factor to the disease. Others include the following (Ralston, 2005):

·         Certain kidney diseases

·         Vitamin D deficiency

·         Some hormonal diseases, such as some thyroid disorders

·         Cushing's Syndrome

·         Treatment with steroids for certain medical conditions

·         Certain types of cancer (related to Chemo Therapy treatment)

"I am male, and this is a disease that affects females; therefore, I have nothing to worry about."

Though it is more prevalent in women, men can certainly be affected by osteoporosis. The International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that, in the United States, almost two million men have osteoporosis and another three million are at risk (IOF, 2010). No different from women, osteoporotic men suffer from osteoporotic fractures in hips, spine, wrists, and other bones.

"I will look into osteoporosis when I am older; I am too young to worry about it now."

Looking at bone mass is not simple. Bone mass increases or decreases depend on the levels of proper loading stimulus. Commonly, younger individuals receive more axial loading of the bone mass, therefore achieving a higher level of bone mass density. When the individual stops inducing high-impact level loads, the result is degradation of bone mass, but this process can take years. Individuals who ignore the lack of axial mechanical loading being placed on the skeletal system can begin degradation of bone mass density. Ultimately, when the individual does finally address the issue, bone mass is already low, and attempting to load the body via conventional exercise modalities becomes more difficult and has an elevated chance of fracture. 

More importantly, up to 90% of bone mass is created during childhood and adolescence. A specific example would be the bone mass density differences in both lumbar spine and femoral neck. During puberty the mass density of bone tissue can increase from four to six times in both males and females. This is the period when both size and density of the skeleton grows. This phenomenon, called "peak bone mass" can continue to develop up to the age of thirty. Typically, bone mass begins to slowly decline, then accelerates at the onset of menopause for women. Considering that most of the bone age of thirty, it would make sense to have individuals focus on maximal bone loading from adolescence on. The greater the bone mass is at the time of peak bone mass, the higher the bone mass will be later decades of life.

 To find out how to increase your bone density and reverse loss of bone density call today at 717-263-6101 and speak with Dr. Bryan. Visit: www.chambersburg.bstrong4life.com to get more information.





This information comes from the book, Osteogenic Loading: A new modality to facilitate bone density development. By John Jaquish Ph. D the inventor/developer of bioDensity, Raj Singh, MD, Eleanor Hynote, MD, Jason Conviser, Ph.D.