| The best treatment for osteopenia will include a | | | | women when they reach perimenopause |
| diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables; | | | | (menstrual irregularity occurring usually between |
| vitamin and mineral supplements; and exercise. | | | | 45 and 55) or earlier if they are at risk from the |
| Rebuilding bone density is possible with patience | | | | use of certain medications. Men should have a |
| and determination. | | | | bone density test at age 70 or earlier if using |
| Most doctors understand and trust | | | | corticosteroids or prostate cancer drugs. |
| pharmaceuticals more than they understand | | | | Malabsorption diseases such as Crohn's or |
| vitamins, diet and exercise. But the U.S. Surgeon | | | | inflammatory bowel disease may also warrant |
| General recommends a tiered approach to bone | | | | treatment for osteopenia in order to prevent |
| health rather than reliance on drugs. | | | | bone loss rather than restore bone density. |
| NUTRITION AND EXERCISE | | | | While experts agree that vitamin D is essential for |
| Nutrition, exercise and fall prevention are the | | | | calcium absorption, research has shown that over |
| foundation of the Surgeon General's pyramid. A | | | | 60% of North Americans are vitamin D deficient. |
| natural approach to the treatment for osteopenia | | | | Vitamin D supplements and regular blood tests |
| will emphasize an alkaline diet rich in fruits and | | | | are especially encouraged for people in northern |
| vegetables and low in meat, carbonated drinks | | | | regions (north of Boston) where the ultraviolet |
| and coffee. Supplements can reinforce a good | | | | rays from the sun are too weak to produce |
| diet when calcium is taken with meals; blood levels | | | | vitamin D during the long winter months. |
| of vitamin D are adequate and vitamin K2 is | | | | A simple PH test is also a useful tool in the |
| added to push the calcium into the bones and | | | | treatment of osteopenia. Adequate stomach acid |
| away from the heart. But as few supplements | | | | is essential for breaking down and absorbing |
| have sufficient vitamin D to support | | | | calcium but acid production decreases with age. A |
| recommended blood levels, additional vitamin D | | | | simple pH test strip can help to assess and |
| tablets are often necessary. | | | | monitor stomach acid levels. |
| Weight bearing exercises are also important for | | | | PRESCRIPTION DRUGS |
| the treatment of osteopenia...and these exercises | | | | Drug treatment is found at the top and smallest |
| are not restricted to the use of weights. Tai chi, | | | | portion of the Surgeon General's treatment |
| yoga and walking all encourage bone renewal by | | | | pyramid-after the causes of bone loss have been |
| using the natural weight of the body. Tai chi has | | | | identified and addressed. While some argue that |
| the additional benefit of improving balance that will | | | | drugs should only be prescribed once a person |
| help with fall prevention. | | | | has been diagnosed with osteoporosis- in cases |
| ASSESSING AND TREATING UNDERLYING | | | | where there is rapid bone loss, physicians may |
| CAUSES | | | | prescribe medication to slow or prevent further |
| If a doctor informs a patient that she or he has | | | | loss. |
| osteopenia, it is usually because a bone density | | | | Prescription medication should always be |
| test (DEXA test) reported a T score between -1 | | | | accompanied by adequate levels of calcium and |
| and-2.5 in one or all of the following locations: | | | | vitamin D, as pharmaceuticals often help to |
| - lower spine bones (lumbar vertebrae L1-L3) | | | | increase bone density but do not necessarily |
| - the narrow neck of your thigh bone (femur) | | | | support bone quality. A daily program of vitamins |
| that adjoins your hip | | | | and minerals through a good diet and the use of |
| - the femur itself (thigh bone) | | | | supplements is an essential part of the treatment |
| A diagnosis of osteoporosis is made when the T | | | | for osteopenia as well as the prevention of |
| score is lower than -2.5. | | | | osteoporosis. |
| Baseline bone density tests are recommended for | | | | |