Bone Boosters of Las Cruces Osteoporosis Help Home Page

Las Cruces Osteoporosis Meetings Location

“TEA DRINKERS HAVE STRONGER BONES” comes from a non profit group, the George Majillen Foundation.
This study evaluated whether compounds found in tea such as caffeine, phytoestrogens, flavonoids and fluoride affected bone mineral density (BMD).
More than 1,000 Chinese men and women (497 men and 540 women, 30 years and older) were questioned about their habits of drinking green, black, or oolong tea, and other lifestyle characteristics. Measurements of bone mineral density of the total body, low back, and hip taken using DEXA scans (the gold standard for bone mineral density evaluation) were recorded. Among the study participants, 502 subjects (48.4%) were habitual tea drinkers, with a mean duration of tea consumption of approximately 10 years. Compared to those who did not frequently drink tea, subjects who had habitually consumed any kind of tea for 6 to 10 years had higher lumbar spine BMDs, while those whose tea consumption had continued for more than 10 years had the highest BMDs of all measured regions.
The average tea drinker drank 3.5 cups of tea per day, but the authors found that in relation to BMD, how long the individuals had been regularly drinking tea was more important than how much tea was consumed daily. No significant differences in BMD were found among green, black, or oolong teas.
Tea's protective effect of tea against bone loss may appear surprising since other studies have shown that caffeine consumption is associated with increased bone loss, particularly in women whose intake of caffeine is greater than 300 mg/d (the amount found in approximately 514 g, or 18 oz, brewed coffee), and who carry the tt genetic variant of VDR (Vitamin D receptor)

genotype. Studies suggest that these women appear to be at greater risk for caffeine's deleterious effect on bone.
In tea drinkers, however, it appears that any negative effect of the caffeine is more than overcome by other components of tea. Those wishing to limit their intake of caffeine might wish to choose green, rather than black tea, since green tea contains less caffeine than black tea, although even black tea contains about one-quarter of the amount found in regular coffee.

References: Wu C, Yang Y, Yao W, et al. Epidemiological evidence of increased bone mineral density in habitual tea drinkers. Arch Intern Med2002;162:1001-6. Rapuri PB, Gallagher JC, Kinyamu HK, Ryschon KL. Caffeine intake increases the rate of bone loss in elderly women and interacts with vitamin D receptor genotypes. Am J Clin Nutr2001;74:694-700. Laz Bannock, PhD., HumanNutrition.com, Technical Newsletter, June 15, 2002.

TOPICS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:

ABOUT NUTRITION. Every study about Osteopenia and Osteoporosis seems to include Vitamin D and calcium guidelines but recently micro nutrients are getting more attention.
A recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that a daily "diet that includes 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables should optimize the intake of micro nutrients required for bone health."
Of course those guidelines presuppose that your fruits and vegetables were grown in soils that contain the necessary trace minerals - something that may not be true on many farms. Example: If the soil or hydroponic base contains little or no boron, you are not likely to find the trace mineral boron in your vegetables.
The good news is that if you buy local produce, your state or province agriculture department is likely to be able to tell you about the mineral content of local soils. (Source: Kate Lindermann, Osteoporosis Researcher.)

Osteoporosis in real life
(Marge Peterson)

      Sally Fields, amazon warrior and sworn enemy of whimpy bones. If you watch television you probably know she swallows “one little pill a month to fight her bone loss”. The ads (which promote a medication called Boniva) show Sally striding briskly along pumping hand weights, the essence of stream-lined fitness and supple shapeliness at age 50 something. Take one pill a month, grow those bones. Bones of cryptonite! Oh, Sally, were it all so simple!
        I say, “Good for Sally” and others of her attractive ilk who are bringing to our attention what the National Osteoporosis Foundation predicts will be an epidemic of bone disease in the next 20 years. No doubt it’s a shock to any Baby Boomer who is told she has bone loss. Recent research even links osteoporosis to depression. One out of 2 women over 50 will have a fracture in her lifetime. But that leaves the question, “Now that you know you have bone loss, what you gonna do, Baby Boomer Baby?”
      I remember my doctor pointing to my bone scan results on a colorful little series of bar graphs and scowling. “You’re pretty young (I was 47) to have this low a bone density score. More than one Standard Deviation.”   He talked about T-Scores and Z-Scores.   Now I know that my loss level was what we are currently calling Osteopenia--the earlier stages of bone loss. Now I know that bone loss runs rampant in my family. Now I know that early menopause (mine was at age 38) and the lack of estrogen escalates bone loss. Now I know that my calcium bank was established when I was 30. After 14 years I know a lot of things I didn’t even begin to suspect before. But I’m still learning.
     My tallest sister’s spine caved in on itself and settled into the dreaded Dowager’s hump. When I went to the air port to pick her up; I didn’t recognize her in her new “question mark” posture. I check nervously in the mirror to see if I have a bump crawling slowly onto my own shoulders. I squared my jaw and drink bluish-hued skim milk every morning. I’ve walked miles and miles. I’ve been through 24 months of injections of a relatively new and expensive medication called Forteo. That was a resounding and, because I had begun to give up on my bones, a thrilling success in building bone. But I’ve been down in the dumps over lots of failures and rotten test results too. Milk-drinking, nutrition boosting and weigh bearing exercise (upper and lower body) sometimes have a very modest effect on bone scan results.
    But I’m finding constantly that there is a ton of new stuff to learn from the Web, research publications, even newsstand magazines like Reader’s Digest.   My critical judgment in evaluating how new information and ideas might help me has sharpened and I don’t believe everything I hear and read. There’s a lot anyone with the beginnings of bone loss and even with more established bone disease can do if she or he knows what that is. For me, it’s all about ups and downs. And sometimes frustration because I’m healthy in other ways–good blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, average weight.
      It’s my nemesis--bone loss--that aggravates and motivates me. That’s why I’m determined to be Sally Fields older, harder working clone–the one who digs in her heels, learns what she can to stop her bones from weakening more and a future in a wheel chair. I didn’t choose it; it’s my necessary journey. Come along on that journey. Are you waiting for an invitation? Remember, I’ve been known to accost startled people in grocery stores and pass out information cards to invite them to Bone Booster classes. They’re free and you’re welcome.

Materials from past Bone Boosters Programs

May is officially National Osteoporosis Month.

Las Crucens are vigorously working against the debilitating disease osteoporosis. I want to recognize the dedicated health-care professionals, rehabilitation entities and local businesses who have donated their expertise and time during classes sponsored by Bone Boosters of Southern NM at the Women’s Resource Center, MVRMC.

Bone Boosters would like to give thanks for their generous support in the fight against osteoporosis to: Roset Samuel MD Las Cruces NM, Roderick Fields MD Las Cruces NM, Dewell Hardesty--Del Valle Physical Therapy Las Cruces NM, Mountainview Regional Medical Center of Las Cruces New Mexico, Maximo Web Design, Carole Carson—exercise physiologist, Omar Montoya—Director Mkt. MVRMC, Laura Merrill--registered dietitian, Ryan Gutierrez DC, Family First Chiropractic P.C., Al Galves PhD, Richard Coltharp—Healthy U Ed./LC Sun News, Ann Morgan—MVRMC, Megan Wood—pharmacist, Mary Odenbach—Dexa Scan Technician, April Cross—pharmacist, Paul Crispel—Walk Dona Ana Walk, Lilliana Narvaez—pharmaceutical consultant, Lily Pharmaceuticals, Janelle Tapia—fitness specialist, SW Health & Wellness Center, Jean Wertz, Kathy Stott—Mt. View Market, Cher Guerrero—Tai Chi educator, Princess Lopez—occupational therapist, and Cakes by Maximo.

I want to encourage all of you to take simple steps to prevent osteoporosis--a disease in which an individual’s bones become thin and are more likely to break. An estimated 10 million Americans—80% of them women—have osteoporosis and 34 million more are at risk. The good news is that osteoporosis is often preventable and it is never too early or too late to make lifestyle changes that can help protect your bones for life. Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Talk to your doctor and find out if you are at risk for osteoporosis.
I encourage everyone to start making their bone health a priority!
Sincerely,
Marge Peterson

Coordinator/BBSN (Bone Boosters of Southern NM)

CLICK HERE for more pictures and information from past Bone Boosters meetings

Bone Boosters Home Page

UPCOMING 2011 PROGRAMS:

UNITING THEME FOR THIS SEASON’S CLASSES IS "DECISION MAKING ABOUT YOUR BONE HEALTH"

October 6th –Critical thinking skills workshop with Dr. Sherry Mills, NMSU (decision making about bone health,risk assessment of meds, etc.)

Nov. 3rd—New findings on protein and bone flexibility with Genevieve Mitchell, ND. Dissecting the info from NOF conference.

Dec 1st- MVRMC physical therapy dept will demonstrate the correct way to do the NOF approved exercises.

Jan 5th- (Jan. is always on removing weight safely for our bones)

Classes for Feb. through March 2012 are in the planning stage, but there will be a program on exercises to improve hyphosis, back curvature, for sure in the spring.

Assessing your personal fall injury risk

Courtesy of NMSU News Center
NMSU faculty member’s research may increase quality of life for older adults

Date: 2009-09-08
Writer: Margaret Kovar

Falling down is a reality that affects the lives of many older adults every day. Falls can be attributed to

numerous causes, including age and physical mobility, which is why a current New Mexico State

University faculty member developed and introduced a comprehensive fall-risk screening instrument,

the first of its kind in the nation.

Robert Wood, head of the College of Education Department of Human Performance, Dance and

Recreation, created the Comprehensive Falls Risk Screening Instrument while teaching at

Louisiana State University. Jennifer Fabre, an assistant professor at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, La., is a co-author of the instrument.

The screening instrument not only identifies those at risk, but also why they are at risk. After a participant’s risks are identified, they can then be referred to the correct physician or intervention program. For example, if a person is most at risk of falling down because of a decrease in mobility, they can begin a physical activity program that addresses balance, strength, stability and the core.

“If we can prevent some falls, we can ease the burden on the person, their family and the health care system,” Wood said.

Understanding how to intervene is important. Some fall risks cannot be modified, such as age, while other causes, such as vision and physical mobility, can be modified. These causes, along with side effects from medication and diseases, all play a role in increasing the risk of a fall. Because of this, the program also helps identify other public health problems.

During the screening process, several different screening items are utilized, including physical activities, vision tests and a survey. A computer algorithm is then used to score the results and provide a report to the participant. Those administering the screening go over the report with the participant.

When assessing the screening instrument’s accuracy, Wood compared the program’s results to self-reported history of falls in more than 300 senior adults, and now has prospective data for about 200 senior adults.
Wood said physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of falls.

“A physically active lifestyle is critical for optimizing functioning and quality of life. There’s no single better way to maintain function and delay the effects of aging,” he said.

In the future, the possibility of training employees or volunteers at places such as community centers and hospitals to administer the screenings may be explored. Although the screening process is not marketed yet, Wood said he would like to develop the program more by adding an interactive Web site health care providers can use to submit data themselves and receive a report.

Wood also said he would like to start administering the screening process in Las Cruces. If interested or for more information about screenings, contact Wood at (575) 646-4065.

The screening program is currently being implemented at senior service organizations in Baton Rouge, La., Shreveport, La., Atlanta, Ga., and Bangor, Maine.
----------------------------------

Older adults participate in a physical activity intervention program to help increase mobility and quality of life. A decrease in mobility is identified as a risk for falling by the Comprehensive Falls Risk Screening Instrument, created by Robert Wood, head of the New Mexico State University College of Education Department of Human Performance, Dance and Recreation. (Courtesy photo)

Dr. Bob Wood was born and raised in upstate New York. He attended the State University of New York at Cortland where he received his Bachelors degree as a double major in Physical Education and Biology. From there he received his Graduate Education at Louisianan State University in Baton Rouge, having received his PhD in Kinesiology in 1996.

Bob has served as a faculty member in Higher Education since 1997. He was promoted to associate professor and received tenure at LSU in the department of Kinesiology in 2003. He was a faculty member in a department of Physical Therapy at Husson University in Bangor, ME from 2006-2009, and has recently joined the faculty at NMSU as Professor and Academic Head of the department of HPDR.

Dr. Wood's research interests relate primarily to aging, physical function, and disability. In addition, he has a particular interest in the aging of the autonomic nervous system and its relationship to functional decline in late life. His research has been supported by a number of federal agencies and private foundations including the National Institute on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bob Wood, Ph.D Professor and Academic Head Department of Human Performance Dance and Recreation
New Mexico State University
PO Box 30001, MSC 3M
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (575) 646-2441

Marge Peterson Speaks on new developments in Osteoporosis treatments

and medications September 2011

DYNAMIC FLAMINGO THERAPY or Unipedal Standing – Invented by K. Sakamoto, Tokyo, Japan
This is the possibly the cheapest, least intrusive, and lowest tech way of preventing hip fractures. Bone density and bone strength is improved by stressing your bones.
TO TRY IT YOURSELF: stand on one foot for one minute 3 times a day. Hang on to something if you need to.

What it does:
Improves balance and decreases spontaneous falls by 1/3.
Strains the bone in theory strengthening it and decreasing the chance of fracture if you do fall.
According to Dr. Sakamoto, unipedal standing increases the weight loat on the femoral head by a factor of 2.75 over standing on 2 legs.

According to Dr. Sakamoto, standing on 1 foot for one minute is equivalent to walking for 53 minutes.

Research published Nov 2008 in Clinical Calcium Magazine