17 Ways to Fight Osteoporosis (2)

Curb your caffeine
Dr. Strickland says caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption, so any substance containing caffeine—whether soda, coffee, or chocolate—should be limited.

Moderate intake—for example 300 milligrams of caffeine a day (which is about one cup of coffee or two cups of tea—is probably not a problem as long as you are getting enough calcium.

Don't smoke
"I tell all of my patients to stop smoking because it is terrible for your bones," says Dr. Strickland. Smoking impedes the healing of fractures and reduces the body's ability to make bone, she says.

"When you stop smoking, you are immediately increasing your bone strength and ability to recover from injury."

Watch your medications
Some medications can increase the likelihood of getting osteoporosis. One of the main culprits is anti-inflammatory corticosteroids such as prednisone, which cause bone thinning.

Proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec and Prevacid (used to treat acid reflux) change the pH balance in the stomach, which can affect how well calcium is absorbed. Dr. Strickland says this is usually an issue with long-term (i.e. more than seven years) usage of these medications.

Antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and methotrexate are also associated with osteoporosis.

Limit alcohol
Up to two drinks a day may actually help prevent fractures, Dr. Lyles says, but more than that could reduce the absorption of calcium, deplete calcium reserves, and reduce the level of hormones such as estrogen that are involved in bone production.

Consuming too much alcohol can also put people at risk for falls and breaks.

health.com

Posted in: Health

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