Archive for the ‘Take Control Naturally’ Category
“But Protein Makes Me Fat”
Protein is necessary for strong bone and muscle. Two patients complained that they were gaining weight when they added enough Protein for good bone health to their diets.
That was their problem. They ADDED Protein to a diet that already had enough Calories in Fats and Carbs. The key is to add Protein without adding Calories. This is harder than it sounds. You may have to reduce other foods to avoid a gain in Calories.
Proteins and Carbs are about equal in Calories. Fats are packed with twice as many Calories. Getting enough Protein as a Vegetarian or Vegan is challenging, but feasible.
Remember that the ideal weight for bone health is a BMI between 22 and 33. The ideal weight to AVOID Death From All Causes is a BMI between 25 and 30 if you are over 60 years of age. A BMI between 22 and 25 almost as good.
Many of our patients Take Control Naturally by getting enough absorbable Calcium in Foods, Vitamin D3, Protein in Foods, Multiple Vitamins & Minerals, and Exercises for Balance and Strength. This way they can often avoid medications for several years.
Take Control Naturally with enough Protein in a balanced diet.
Jay Ginther, MD
Any Fracture => Bone Health Evaluation
Any fracture, especially after age 50, in a woman or a man, requires a Complete Bone Health Evaluation. This was preached from the podium at the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) meeting last month.
ANY Fracture must be taken seriously. Whether you “fell really hard” on concrete or ice, or fractured in sports, or even if you broke bones in a car crash, ALL Fractures indicate increased Future Fracture Risk.
Studies of injuries in car crashes, after matching passengers for seat positiion, closing speed of the collision, belted or not, tell the story. Those with the best Bone Health are least likely to break. Those with poor Bone Health are much more likely to break.
Age 50 approximates menopause in women, but menopause at any age is more significant than age alone. So are parental fractures, especially of hip or spine. And don’t forget men.
Fractures at any age indicate an increased Fracture Risk. After your first fracture, try to avoid your next fracture by improving your bone health.
Most of us can decrease our Fracture Risk before even considering medications. Enough Calcium, Vitamin D3, Protein, Balance and Strengthening Exercises, go a long way to improve your bone health. This is especially true if you start LONG BEFORE age 50.
Did you fracture? Take Control of your Future. Find what you need to change with a Complete Bone Health Evaluation.
Jay Ginther, MD
Kids Learn About Bone Health
The Imaginarium (Children’s Science Museum) at the Grout Museum in Waterloo, IA is teaching bone health this summer. Good choices for bone health during growing years are the best way to avoid future problems and osteoporosis.
“The Bone Zone” is a special exhibit from Purdue University Department of Nutrition now through 5 September. Interactive exhibits teach interesting facts about bone, and guide participants to healthy choices for bone health. The target audience is K-8, but adults learn a few things too.
You can learn about Calcium content of foods. Fortuneteller “Madame Ulna” will tell your bone future based on activity choices. You can compare the strength of a human femur to equally strong wood, concrete and steel.
Cedar Valley Bone Health, Cedar Valley Orthopedics, and Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, PC sponsored the exhibit. As sponsors we brought our kids and grandkids to a special opening. “The Bone Zone” is really cool.
Take your kids and grandkids to the Grout Imaginarium this summer. They’ll have a great time, and great bones.
Jay Ginther, MD
Happy Mother’s Day
What can you do for your mother? Mother’s Day is when you thank your mother for all that she did for you. Seriously? That is too much to accomplish in just one day with flowers and a meal. Perhaps you can do something that could improve the rest of her life!
Your mother is getting older every year. We all do that. Perhaps she is shrinking or developing a humped back (kyphosis). We can prevent that! Perhaps she has fallen and broken a bone. We can often prevent that too!
Over the last 20 years the world has changed. We now know how to prevent bones from deteriorating. We can improve bone health and prevent fractures. The sooner we start, the better we can preserve your mother’s independent lifestyle. Your independence too, if you are her caregiver.
Without attention to their bone health, half of all women over age 50 suffer at least one fracture. We can prevent nearly 2/3 of those fractures. A Complete Bone Health Evaluation tells us in what areas you have opportunities for improvement.
We start with enough Calcium in foods and supplements, enough Vitamin D3 supplements, enough Protein, Multiple Vitamins & Minerals and balance exercises. Sometimes medications.
Your mother sacrificed her bone health for you before and after your birth. She gave you a lot. Give back to her. And if you must give chocolates, try Adora Chocolates with a whole meal’s Calcium in each.
Check out your mother’s bone health. Yours too. Then take Control of both your futures.
Jay Ginther, MD