One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime. Yes, radiation X-ray, which is translated into what Cosman describes as a “sort of confusing number” called a T-score. Basically, the patient’s bone density is compared to that of an average person between 20 and 30 years old — the time of peak bone density in a woman’s life. The lower the score the greater the risk of having a fracture.
A T-score of -2.5 or below should concern a woman. It indicates fractures in countries that drink a lot of milk,” she says. “I am not too keen on dairy.”
Cosman is also not enthused. “A lot of people drink milk, but I am not big on that,” she says. “Maybe low-fat milk or yogurt. Those calcium-enriched juices are good.”
Not so good are sugar (increasing secretion of calcium and trace elements), breakfast, Cosman recommends taking the calcium pill at lunch.
Exercise
Bones last longer if you stress them more. It’s one of those medical conundrums. hormone replacement? Hormone replacement therapy is approved for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, but a much publicized study was stopped because it increased the risk of , serious blood clots, and other maladies. Cosman recommends against taking estrogen just for bone health.
Instead of a shelf full of pills, most people only need a well-stocked refrigerator. The process of bone remodeling is complicated but is hooked into the nutrients available to maintain your bones.
“You can’t put every little molecule in cauliflower into a pill,” Cosman says. “It’s simpler to eat the cauliflower.” Words to live by.