Female Care

Scientists have found new gene variants linked with the age at which females experience their first menstrual period and the onset of menopause, which can even help in preventing breast and endometrial cancer and osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

In the collaborative study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the researchers have identified 10 genetic variants in two chromosomal regions associated with age at menarche (the first menstrual period), and 13 genetic variants in four chromosomal regions associated with age at natural menopause.

Menarche and natural menopause are two important physiological events in a woman’s life.

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By J. E. Davidson

Osteoporosis is a silent disease, often not apparent until you fall and break a bone. Eight out of ten osteoporosis patients are women, and we are at the greatest risk after menopause, when our ovaries stop producing estrogen, a hormone that protects us against bone loss.

Bone is a living tissue, constantly growing, breaking down, and being replaced by new bone tissue. Our bone density peaks when we are 25 to 30 years old, at which point our bone tissue begins breaking down faster than it is replaced. Not getting enough calcium and Vitamin D during the teen years can contribute to less than optimal bone development and leave us more susceptible to osteoporosis, with brittle bones that fracture easily as we age.

Many research studies tell us that adequate amounts of Vitamin D and calcium are vital for bone health, but many other nutrients are potentially beneficial for our bone health as well.

Protein

The building block of the human body, protein builds tissue, helps fractures to heal, and gives our immune system a boost. Getting enough protein is especially important for older people. Studies show that elderly people who get adequate protein in their diet are more likely to have a good medical outcome if they suffer a broken hip bone. Complete proteins contain all the amino acids the body needs to create new proteins, and can be found in meat, poultry, and dairy products. Incomplete proteins are missing one or more amino acids, and are found in legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. By eating a variety of incomplete proteins, even those on a vegetarian diet can get an adequate amount.

The body doesn’t store amino acids the way it does fats and carbohydrates so it is necessary to have an adequate daily intake of protein-rich foods. A long-term, high-protein diet of more than a few weeks can have adverse effects on bone health, however. The acids released by the body when digesting proteins are buffered by calcium, which may be pulled from bone tissue. Those on a low carb diet need to make sure that they get plenty of calcium in their diet.

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By Nicole Harms

Understanding osteoporosis means understanding what the disease is, what its risk factors are, and what can be done to prevent it. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone density. This leads to fractures and other bone problems. One of the first things to do to prevent osteoporosis is determining if you are at risk for developing the disease.

Identifying Your Osteoporosis Risk Factors

There are several things that can determine the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. Being female, for example, is a common osteoporosis risk factor. Women, particularly Caucasians or Asians, are the people the most likely to get osteoporosis. Few males will develop the condition. If you are a woman, chalk up one risk factor in your count.

Osteoporosis often runs in families. If your mother or grandmother had osteoporosis, you are likely to develop the condition unless you modify your lifestyle. Along those lines poor nutrition is also an osteoporosis risk factor. Women who do not eat enough calcium and vitamin D are going to be at risk for bone loss.

Some people have a condition known as malabsorption. This condition causes them to not absorb nutrients properly from their digestive system. If you have this condition, it can cause you to not absorb the calcium you need correctly. This is also a risk factor for osteoporosis, and many patients with this condition are surprised because they have a healthy diet yet still develop osteoporosis.

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By Christine Bude

Osteoporosis is a progressive condition in which bones become brittle and weak. Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones”. Bones can become so brittle that even a mild stress on the bone can cause a fracture. Fractures are painful injuries that can cause disability.

Bones are the important support structure of the body. Many people, especially young people, tend to take their bone health for granted.

In most cases the bones are weakened when the levels of minerals in the bones are low. Important bone minerals include calcium, phosphorus and other minerals. Osteoporosis can also result from endocrine disorders and excessive use of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids.

People with signs of bone loss can take steps to reverse the damage with some lifestyle changes such as taking calcium, Vitamin D and by weight bearing exercise.

Osteoporosis commonly results in fractures, or broken bones. The fractures are often in the spine, hip or wrist. Osteoporosis is considered a woman’s disease, but also affects men.

Bone loss, in early stages, does not usually cause pain or symptoms. As bone loss progresses, symptoms may include back pain, loss of height and fractures of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones.

We tend to think of bone as unchanging, but that is not the case. Bones are a living part of the body that changes constantly. When bones do not have enough minerals, they lose strength and density. In young people, bone is constantly breaking down and making new bone. As the body ages, the process of making new bone is slower. Estrogen production decreases and bone loss increases dramatically.

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