There's No Excuse for Being Bad to Your Bones: Five Ways to Bulk Up Your Bone Health

Online, May 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, it is estimated that nearly 12 million individuals suffer from osteoporosis, and this number is estimated to grow to about 14 million by 2020.

"In light of these alarming statistics, it is important to ask what lifestyle choices people can make at a young age to help curb this growing number of cases," says Dr. Warren Levy, Ph.D. Levy is the CEO and founder of Unigene Laboratories, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the oral and nasal delivery of large-market peptide drugs that is targeting its initial efforts on developing calcitonin and PTH-based therapies for osteoporosis.

The Top Five Healthy Choices for Healthy Bones
Whether you're 18 or 80, the following fitness and nutrition tips can help steer health-conscious individuals toward healthier bones:

• MIX IT UP: While maintaining a steady regimen of aerobic exercise is one of the best things people can do for their general good health, low-impact sports such as bicycling and swimming might leave otherwise young and fit athletes susceptible to the early onset of osteopenia (lower-than-normal bone density) or the more advanced condition known as osteoporosis (lower bone mineral density with significant risk of bone fracture). "Cyclists and swimmers should be sure to vary their routine, and include some higher-impact activities in their routines such as jogging or walking," advises Dr. Levy.

• GET PUMPED: If individuals are not doing any exercise that's going to load their spine and help them achieve peak bone mass, they may be putting themselves at risk for a fracture. Athletes of all ages should include at least some weight-bearing exercises-such as squats and free weight work-in their workout routines.

• INTAKE VS. OUTAKE: Hard-core fitness buffs should make certain they are eating enough to offset what they burn during their exercise routines; otherwise, they run the risk of depriving their bodies of bone-strengthening nutrients. In addition, "Not many people know that caloric shortfalls can also trigger physiological problems such as lower levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men, hormones that have protective effects on bones and slow the rate of bone breakdown," says Dr. Levy.

• KEEP A LITTLE MEAT ON THE BONES: Those who are too thin are at an increased risk of osteoporosis because there is less padding of muscle and fat to protect your bones from being vulnerable to injury. "It's important to maintain a healthy weight to keep your bones supported throughout your life," adds Dr. Levy.

• CALCIUM-RICH FOODS: Be sure to include in your diet foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Most dairy foods such as milk, cheeses, and yogurt, are rich in calcium. For the lactose intolerant, there are a number of non-dairy foods that are calcium-rich, including salmon, tofu, spinach, broccoli, baked beans, almonds, peas and brussel sprouts.

It is extremely important for people to speak with their doctors about any family history of osteoporosis and find out in advance if they could be at risk. "The longer we live, the more important bone health becomes," says Dr. Levy. "Fortunately, early screening can help identify patients at risk for the disease and, if osteoporosis does develop, treatments are available."

If osteoporosis is diagnosed, the treatment must generally be taken for life. Most treatments aim to reduce bone loss that could lead to a breakdown of the bone. There are drugs that include bisphosphonates, non-natural ingredients that are effective but have been associated with certain serious side effects. There are also drugs that include the active ingredients calcitonin or parathyroid hormone, naturally occurring hormones that help the body to regulate calcium levels and are available as a nasal spray or a daily injection, respectively. The injectable product based on parathyroid hormone is the only approved osteoporosis treatment that has been shown to build new bone.

"When choosing a treatment, the important thing for patients to remember before changing or starting any drug regimen is to weigh efficacy, potential side effects and safety risks in light of all of the available data," advises Dr. Levy.