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Your Questions Answered...
When
should I have my bone health screened?
It all depends on your diet and lifestyle. Some women should assess
bone health as early as their late twenties or early thirties. Before
you begin supplementation or other intervention, you should learn your
rate of bone breakdown. Therapy is determined by a baseline rate of bone
breakdown. Subsequent screening can measure relative changes resulting
from therapy.
Who
has a high risk for rapid bone breakdown?
Nearly 50% of healthy American women are at an increased risk of bone
breakdown. Besides being female, other risk factors include having a small
frame, fair complexion, family history of bone conditions, sedentary lifestyle,
consumption of alcohol, hormone imbalances, and a diet low in fats/dairy
products.
What
are the consequences of poor bone health left untreated?
Left untreated, rapid bone breakdown leads to a gradual weakening of bone
tissue. Eventually, vertebrae in the spine can crack and compress from
even simple activities like bending to tie a shoelace. This results in
permanent spinal deformities ("Dowager's Hump") and painful fractures
of the wrist, hip, and spine. Monitoring your bone health early is the
key to successful treatment.
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