Calcium and Osteoporosis

Paper Summary:

Osteoporosis has been estimated to afflict from five to twenty million people in the United States alone. It is the principal cause of skeletal fractures in the elderly. The paper shows that while consuming enough calcium is important, bone health is more than just a matter of getting enough calcium in your diet. The paper examines what medical science knows about calcium and bone, and what it does not know about the disease, and overall bone health. The paper addresses five areas: calcium and bone, calcium nutrition, illnesses caused by insufficient calcium, suggested calcium intakes and, lastly, osteoporosis and calcium.

From the Paper:

"Osteoporosis is a silent disease and there might not be symptoms until a bone breaks and the condition is recognized after the incident on x-rays. The first sign may be hip or low back pain, or painful swelling of a wrist after a fall. Persons who fall into the risk factor groups should do all they can to avoid these symptoms by eating well and exercising. It is best to prevent the disease by building sturdy bones in childhood, but there are other steps you can take. Your peak bone mass is reached during your twenties and thirties so get regular weight bearing exercise, such as walking. In addition, get plenty of calcium in your diet and if need be use supplements. The average American diet contains about five hundred milligrams a day, but one thousand milligrams a day is recommended and needed. Do not smoke, and drink alcohol only in moderation. If you are at risk of developing osteoporosis and are nearing menopause, talk with your doctor about estrogen or other hormone replacement therapies."

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• Analytical Essay # 148247 : "Recognition and Prevention of Osteoporosis"

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