Osteopenia

[Tokie]

Hi Michelem - I've had osteoporosis since age 43.(small frame,blue eyes,mom has it too) when I was diagnosed, no-one could believe it. I was a good weight(109 and 5 1) paddled outrigger canoes, lifted in the gym 2X a week, and did a bit of running. Oh well! My osteoporosis is now only osteopenia, which is normal for a (now) 53 yr old.2 bike accidents this year caused only cuts,bruises,and one ligament injury - no bone fxs! My MD who checks my breasts is encouraging my internist to consider Evista instead of the fosamax, as it helps with osteoporosis and reduces my chances of developing breast cancer. We'll see! I am just so glad to not have problems my mother had (spinal compression fractures) or the repeated broken toes my friend got before going on fosamax. And perhaps just a little sun exposure might do you some good? good luck! Tokie

[mimitabby]

Just keep taking those megadoses of Vitamin D.
the fact is, to absorb Vit D from the sun, you have to have your skin uncovered (not just your head) and washing is going to clean it right off.
Our modern lifestyle is not conducent of getting Vit D from the sun. Pretty sad, eh?
I guess my stepmother was doing something right, laying down on the beach all day to get a tan!

[Tuckervill]

If you live in the PNW or a big city with the cavernous streets, you should worry about vitamin D. Here in the south, most of us don't have to worry about that end of the spectrum. The only way to avoid sun exposure is to stay inside your house all day every day. Even in the car, we are exposed to sun. I got a suntan on my left arm from driving from home in NW Arkansas to Austin, TX, in March. The tinted window was UP the whole time. So, there are lots of factors to consider about whether you should supplement or not.

There's also the study that says vitamin D supplementation may be immunosuppressant.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0125223302.htm

I think all things in moderation, including exposure to the sun.

Karen

[mimitabby]

If you live in the PNW or a big city with the cavernous streets, you should worry about vitamin D. Here in the south, most of us don't have to worry about that end of the spectrum. The only way to avoid sun exposure is to stay inside your house all day every day. Even in the car, we are exposed to sun. I got a suntan on my left arm from driving from home in NW Arkansas to Austin, TX, in March. The tinted window was UP the whole time. So, there are lots of factors to consider about whether you should supplement or not.

There's also the study that says vitamin D supplementation may be immunosuppressant.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0125223302.htm

I think all things in moderation, including exposure to the sun.

Karen

argh! thanks for the article. Sigh, i wish EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of life wasn't so d@mn complicated and confusing!

[michelem]

More great responses - I love this board!

I've printed out the journal article referred to in the Science Daily article and plan to read it this weekend. I'll bring it to my MD's attention as well. Always something . . .

[BeeLady]

I have found the site below to be very helpful in my understanding of and my dealing with my osteopenia. Lots of good suggestions and information. And the research is cited, so you can go to the original articles if you choose.


http://www.osteopenia3.com/index.html

[michelem]

Oh, good find BeeLady!