Bone Divas: Free 2006 Calendar Encourages Women to Battle Osteoporosis

(NAPSI)-They're fit, over 55 and fabulous. They are the "Bone Divas," 13 dynamic women who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia and are striking a pose in a free 2006 calendar to encourage other women to take better care of their bones.

Vibrant and energetic, the Bone Divas include a wilderness hiker, Alpine and Nordic skiers, a distance walker and an international flight attendant-aged 57 to 78.

Osteoporosis threatens more than 44 million Americans age 50 and older. An estimated 10 million individuals (eight million of whom are women) already have the disease and nearly 34 million more have osteopenia (low bone mass), a condition that puts them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Often faced with no symptoms, half to almost two-thirds of women quit their osteoporosis medication within one year.

"I hope the Bone Divas Calendar can provide useful information and serve as an inspiration to women-to be aware of their bone health, treat it as directed to reduce the risk of fractures and remain active as they go through life," said Sharon Kreutter, a nurse and Ms. July.

For a free 2006 Bone Divas Calendar, as well as helpful tips on managing osteoporosis, go to: www.ivillage.com/bonedivas or call 800-426-6482. The 2006 Bone Divas Calendar debuted on iVillage with support and assistance from Roche and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Tips For Better Bone Health

• Work with your doctor to monitor your osteoporosis and bone mineral density (BMD), as well as your overall health. It's important to evaluate the steps being taken to maintain bone health and to decide what treatment is right for you.

• Get your recommended daily amounts of calcium and vitamin D. If you are over 50 years of age and female, studies suggest you should have 1,200 mg of calcium and 400-600 IU of vitamin D each day through food and/or supplements.

• Exercise. Bones generally become stronger and denser when you place demands on them. Lack of exercise, especially as you get older, can contribute to lower bone mass or density. Exercise can also reduce your risk of falling by improving balance, flexibility and strength. Talk to your doctor about a safe, effective exercise program to best meet your needs.

• Take your medication. Medicine can be a key factor in protecting bone health in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Daily, weekly and even a once-monthly prescription medicine, Boniva® (ibandronate sodium) 150 mg, are available that can build bone density and reduce risk of fracture. But no medicine can work if you don't take it. So fill your prescription, take it properly and continue taking it-as directed.

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. Smoking has been shown to interfere with the way your body uses calcium to help bones. Excessive alcohol can also reduce bone mass and increase the risk of fracture. If you want to consume alcohol, it should be limited to one drink or less a day (for women).

Vibrant and energetic Bone Divas encourage women to protect their own bones in a free 2006 calendar available now at www.ivillage.com/bonedivas.

Important Safety Information: Boniva is a prescription medicine for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. You should not take Boniva if you have low blood calcium, cannot sit or stand for at least 60 minutes, have severe kidney disease, or are allergic to Boniva. Stop taking Boniva and tell your doctor if you experience difficult or painful swallowing, chest pain, or severe or continuing heart burn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. Follow the once-monthly Boniva 150 mg dosing instructions carefully to lower the chances of these events occurring. Side effects are generally mild or moderate and may include diarrhea, pain in the arms or legs, or upset stomach. If you develop severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain, contact your healthcare provider. Your doctor may also recommend a calcium and vitamin D supplement. For Patient Information for Boniva, visit boniva.com.

Osteoporosis ~ What Can I Do to Prevent It
by Barbara Phillips, NP

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You normally don't know it until something like a fracture occurs. In reality, your bones have been loosing strength for years.

There are millions of people with osteoporosis, and the vast majority of them are women. Bone is a living tissue that consistently breaks down and rebuilds. As we enter our 40's and 50's, the rebuilding is having a hard time keeping up with the breaking down...thus a net loss.

While some of the risk factors cannot be modified (family history, small body frame size, racial/ethnic makeup, surgery (removal of ovaries) and menopause), other factors can be modified, and thus prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis.

So what can you do?

-Eating a diet rich in calcium throughout life is important. What does that mean? Low fat dairy food, canned fish with soft bones such as salmon, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium fortified foods.

-If you need a supplement, the current recommendations are for people over 50 to have about 1200mg per day between diet and supplementation. Studies on women with osteoporosis in nursing homes have been shown to have a reduction of fractures just from calcium and vitamin D without other interventions.

-Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb the calcium. Being out in the sun for 20 minutes every day is usually sufficient. Foods that are high in vitamin D include eggs, fatty fish, cereals and fortified milk. Many calcium supplements and multivitamins have vitamin D as well. Recommendations include 400 IU of Vitamin D per day if you are less than 70 years of age, and 600 IU if you are over 70.

-Exercise! Once again the "E" word presents itself. Weight bearing exercise actually prevents the loss of bone. The stress on bone when you walk, play tennis, jog or dance actually stimulates your bone to increase its density. Not only that, but your improved muscle strength will protect you if you should fall. Once again, the current recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes of activity daily.

-Some medications can increase your risk for developing osteoporosis. For example steroids, some anti-seizure medications, some cancer medications, and long term use of Depo-Provera (birth control). If you take too much thyroid medication, or your thyroid glad is overactive your bone could be stimulated to break down faster. Talk with your provider to see if any modifications can be made.

What else? Smoking, carbonated beverages and excessive alcohol have all been implicated in increasing you risk for osteoporosis. Consider eliminating, or at least reducing these habits from your life.

Recommendations:

-Get a gone density scan (DEXA). They are non-invasive and give an accurate measurement of your bone density. The heel test will only give you a ball park figure, and are not always accurate. The DEXA scan will give you a T-score which will tell you and your provider if your density is normal, if you have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis), or osteoporosis. With that information you and your provider can decide on the best plan of action for you.

-If you have osteoporosis, follow the treatment recommendation of your provider, incorporate the dietary and activity recommendation made here, and work to reduce your risk of falls in your home.

-Good health practices will go a long way in preventing and treating any problems. Once again, diet and exercise play a major role in this largely preventable disease.

Women today want to live long, healthy and active lives. Prevention and early treatment of osteoporosis will go a long way towards vibrant and successful aging.

(c)Barbara C. Phillips, Nurse Practitioner and founder of OlderWiserWomen(tm) inspires women to embrace the freedom, magic and wisdom of Successful Aging. Visit www.OlderWiserWomen.com for your copy of "Celebrating You: 50 Tips for Vibrant Living".

Barbara Phillips, NP may be contacted at http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com or info@olderwiserwomen.com