Focusing on the Male Frame
Men get osteoporosis too
by Michelle Gibeault Traub, R.D.
The majority of the media attention surrounding osteoporosis focuses on women, and rightfully so, since 80% of those affected by the disease are female. These figures may lead men to breathe a big sigh of relief, but not so fast! Two million American men have osteoporosis and another twelve million are at risk for the silent disease.
Bigger Bones are Better
Men tend to naturally have larger frames and bigger, denser bones than most women. With more bone mass to begin with, the bone loss of aging takes less of a toll on most males. However, some are not so lucky; especially those who don’t practice good bone health habits.
Risks are Risks Regardless
When it comes to lifestyle choices, the risk factors for osteoporosis are the same regardless of gender. The following habits can be harmful to anyone’s bones:
- Smoking
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Eating a diet that is low in calcium and vitamin D
- Consuming high sodium, high protein foods
- Being inactive
- Taking certain medications (SEE also “Piling on the Pills”)
Bone Health Basics
Just as the lifestyle factors contributing to osteoporosis are the same for males and females, the basics of attaining healthy bones are also the same regardless of gender. To keep bones healthy everyone should do the following:
- Avoid smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Meet daily calcium and vitamin D requirements through a well-balanced diet (including calcium supplements like Adora Calcium when needed)
- Watch sodium and protein intakes
- Participate in daily weight-bearing exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, or jumping rope
- Talk about bone health and osteoporosis risk factors with a physician
Discuss with Your Doc
This last point is especially important for men. Since osteoporosis is still considered a “female disease” many physicians don’t always bring up bone health with their male patients. Men, and the women who care for them, must be assertive about asking for information and requesting a bone density scan if risk factors exist. Whether you are male or female, one truth always remains regarding osteoporosis, it is better to be safe than sorry.
References
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Osteoporosis: Men, retrieved 6/22/07 LINK
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Strategies for Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis in Men,retrieved 6/22/07 LINK
National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center. Osteoporosis in Men. November 2006, retrieved 6/22/07 LINK
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