I have had an epiphany! Since being diagnosed with osteoporosis and while I research the treatment alternatives, I have been trying diligently to take calcium supplements – the right amount, 1500 mg of Calcium and Vitamin D each per day. I take 1000mg of each in supplement form and get the remainder from milk, yogurt, cheese and spinach in my diet. The problem of late has been the size of the dastardly calcium pills. They are HUGE and although I really don’t suffer from the gag reflex – some mornings I just can’t stomach them. The result being I sometimes skip them. Not a good idea and not something I wish to make a habit of doing.

Eureka!

I spoke to my doctor this past week and fessed up about my inability to be devoted to taking my calcium pills even though I am well aware of their importance. She then proceeded to tell me about a chewable, chocolate “candy” calcium supplement. Well, I couldn’t get to the drug store fast enough. Low and behold Viactiv plus D. Not only do they contain 500mg of calcium and 500 mg of Vitamin D ( the vitamin of the decade methinks – more on that in coming posts) they have 40mcg’s of Vitamin K and…..they taste really good! I bought the chocolate mint and they actually satisfy my sweet tooth as an added bonus. Rarely do I find a product to shout about like this one! I know some people will be put off by the fact that they use sugar instead of the dreadful aspartame, but at 20 calories each it is a small caloric price to pay for something that is sooooo good for you and tastes like candy to boot. Viactiv plus D. Check it out at the local drug store or Walmart, cheap too…about $7.50-8.00 for 60 chews.

Elizabeth

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My paternal grandmother and mother both seem to have osteoporosis because they have major lower back issues. I’m only 18, but I’ve been having lower back pains too. I thought it was because I danced too much and over-worked my hips and back (hip-hop, salsa, krump, etc.), but now I see I run the risk of having osteoporosis too. What should I do?

There are many causes to low back pain. I wouldn’t rate Osteoporosis particularly highly unless the vertebral bodies have started to collapse increasing the AP curve changing the muscle balance.
Please don’t self diagnose this condition.
The only way you can tell osteoporosis in the early onset is with bone density scans.

Diet and lifestyle are major factors in preventing osteoporosis.

A diet too rich in protein and sugar is very damaging to bone health as is a very sedentary lifestyle (and having babies when you have a gynae age of less than 4. Your Gynae age is calculated by the age you are when you first menstruate. A girl aged 14 who started menstruating at 12 and a girl of 16 who started menstruating at 14 both have a gynae age of 2). A diet deficient in Calcium is also damaging to bone health.

If hip hop dancers are prone to Osteoporosis I suspects its because they are undernourished rather than because of their activity.
I treated a lot of dancers when i practiced in the UK as the clinic I worked in had a contract with a dance school. They virtually all had eating disorders and were osteoporosis waiting to happen.

I suspect your low back pain is probably because you have a deep lumbar curve if you do a lot of dancing.

Vertebral (spine) compression fractures and hip fractures.