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What is Osteoporosis?   Osteoporosis makes bones weak and prone to fractures. Though anyone can develop osteoporosis, it is most common in old women. As many as half of all women and a quarter of the men above 50 years of age break a bone due to osteoporosis.   Osteoporosis, most commonly referred to as “thinning of the bones”, is a  Common Diseases in Old Age in which bone mineral density is reduced. Healthy diets, along with weight bearing exercise, are key factors in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The focus of the osteoporosis diet is on optimizing  bone health at every stage in life and is based on a  balanced diet with an emphasis on calcium rich foods and Vitamin D.   Although osteoporosis occurs more commonly in women after menopause, osteoporosis is hardly a disease the only effects the elderly. It can occur in young women, especially those who continually follow low-calorie diets, and in men. In women, this process is greatly influenced by the female hormone oestrogen. In general, the higher the oestrogen level the stronger our bones. So when we reach the menopause and our oestrogen level falls, our bones rapidly lose strength. This is why Osteoporosis chiefly affects post- menopausal women.                               Vertebrae to the correct position                 Osteoporosis occurs more commonly                                                                      in women after menopause    World Osteoporosis Day 2011    World Osteoporosis Day is annually observed all over the world on the 20th of October. This year on World Osteoporosis Day 2011 the theme is "Love Your Bones" . The message of the theme conveyed is that to attain unbreakable bones one needs to resort to the following three steps, " vitamin D, calcium-rich foods and exercise".    World Osteoporosis Day spearheaded by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), launches a round- the -year campaign committed to raising the global awareness  on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. The World Osteoporosis Day involves the participation of osteoporosis patients, their health care providers, support groups and societies from around the world. World Osteoporosis Day activities are recorded in over 90 countries. Osteoporosis is more common among the women population but the incidence is rising among the men too. Changing lifestyles, lack of exercise and poor dietary habits are the main culprits.   Osteoporosis is poised to become the next huge  health crisis  in India after diabetes. There are 36 million Indians expected to be affected by osteoporosis in the year 2013.The number of cases have doubled in the last decade and one in three women in urban India, above the age of 45 years, has osteoporosis. Staying indoors and lack of sunlight exposure due to working in air-conditioned offices has resulted in increase in prevalence of osteoporosis even in tropical countries.

World Osteoporosis Day 2010   In the year 2010  the theme of World Osteoporosis Day -- observed on October 20, 2010 is “Don’t bend to Osteoporosis” and specialists are emphasising on preventive measures like lifestyle changes, quitting cigarette smoking, regular exercise and a balanced diet. In most of the western countries, osteoporosis occurs at the age of 70 to 80 years, whereas in India, it even affects people of 50 years.   On the eve of the World Osteoporosis Day, it was stated by doctors that in India the number of people affected by osteoporosis was more as compared to Western countries. They added that bones lead to an increased risk of fractures in osteoporosis and it was fast becoming a lifestyle disease.   Dr Mahesh Bijjawara, a spine surgeon at Mahaveer Jain Hospital, said  “Major osteoporosis fractures occur in the spine, wrist and hip bones and, between 25 per cent to 60 per cent of women aged over 60 years develop spinal compression fractures.”  He said that when the person is about 70-80 years of age, the peak incidence of osteoporosis occurs in the West, but in India it afflicts them even at 50. He stated that during the growing years that are vital for the body, calcium should be taken in adequate quantity to keep the disease at bay.   Dr Rajagopalan, spine surgeon at St John’s Hospital and member of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India, said the best prevention is to build strong bones and maximise peak bone mass before early adulthood. “From the mid thirties, there is a gradual progressive bone loss, which continues throughout life and is accelerated at the time of menopause in women,” he said.     Orthopaedic treatment   Ballon Kyphoplasty : This is an orthopaedic treatment for vertebral compression fractures and can restore the vertebrae to the correct position reducing back pain and the number of days on bed. The one hour per fracture procedure cost nearly one lakh rupees.    Estrogens and progesterone hormone replacement therapy are the available treatment options for prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis, amongst others.    Healthy habits to prevent disease      Strong, healthy bones are the foundation for lifelong vitality and independence. The bone mass you attain early in life—before age 30 or so—may be the most important determinant of bone health as you get older. Eat well now to help prevent osteoporosis—a bone-thinning condition that often results in fractures and even loss of stature with age.    Healthy habits like not drinking alcohol, keeping smoking away, eating a balanced and a healthy diet, exercising regularly and keeping weight under control are the ways to keep the disease away.    Fruits including prunes and bone health   It is important - ideally, to take in 1500 mg of calcium per day. Dried fruits like apricots, dates, and prunes are boron-rich nutritional powerhouses – eat them often to fight osteoporosis. Almonds and other nuts like peanuts and walnuts are good calcium-rich foods to eat.    Research is examining the positive link between eating fruits and vegetables and bone health. To help neutralize acids created by digestion and metabolism, cells draw minerals out of bone, which can lower bone density. Researchers think that potassium and magnesium, found in some fruits and vegetables, neutralize this acid and deter or slow bone loss. In addition, fruits and vegetables provide nutrients that act as enzymes or co-factors in building bone, and their non-nutrient compounds, such as phytochemicals, might also play a role. Research conducted at Oklahoma State University discovered that prunes prevented bone loss in an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis and also in male subjects. In addition, prunes helped restore bone mass after the loss had already occurred in the animals. Based on these promising findings, the researchers conducted a small clinical trial with postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women who ate about 12 prunes daily experienced an increase in biomarkers that measure the rate of bone formation.    California Prunes offer a convenient option for men and women looking to add more fruit to their diets. Prunes are a rich source of several micronutrients involved in bone metabolism, including potassium, vitamin K, and boron. Prunes can easily be incorporated daily into meals or snacks at any time of the day. Prunes are not only great tasting and versatile, but are also great for protecting bone health without any adverse effects. ( Reference:The SCS Group :California Prune Board (www.prune.org)

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