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Do Men Suffer from Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis (Bone Loss)
- Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak, less dense, and more likely to break
- Most people, and even some doctors, think of osteoporosis as a women’s disease, but millions of men develop it, too
- Men who break bones are less likely than women to be treated for bone disease, even though treatment can help prevent broken bones in the future
Risk Factors for Developing Osteoporosis
- Being thin or having a small frame
- Having a family history of the disease
- Using certain medications, such as STEROIDS
- Not getting enough calcium
- Not getting enough physical activity
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
Strategies to Reduce Bone Loss
Nutrition
- A well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Men 19 to 70 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium per day
- Men over age 70 need 1,200 mg per day
- Vitamin D 600 to 800 IU (International Units) each day
Regular Exercise
- Bones are living tissue that respond to exercise
- Weight-bearing exercises (i.e. walking, climbing stairs, and dancing)
- Resistance exercises (i.e. as lifting weights)
Healthy Lifestyle
- Smoking decrease calcium uptake from foods
- Drinking Alcohol
- Heavy drinking weakens your bones and increases your risk of broken bones. (Moderate drinking for most men is no more than 2 drinks/day)
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