Osteoporosis The Silent Epidemic | The Natural Health Practice

'A must-read for all women.'

Osteoporosis is a worldwide epidemic. You might not even know you've got it until you fracture a bone. But it doesn’t need to happen to you - osteoporosis is treatable and preventable and this book will show you how. Inside you will discover:

Why there aren't any symptoms?
How you can tell if you've got it?
How you can avoid it?
How you can boost your bone health?
Why diet and exercise are so important?

Dr Marilyn Glenville is the UK's leading nutritional therapist specializing in women's health. She is the author of the international best-seller, New Natural Alternatives to HRT, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the Nutrition Society.

Introduction:

"Can you answer 'yes' to any of these questions?"

Do you have a family history of osteoporosis?
Are you of European or Asian descent?
Have you ever yo-yo dieted or suffered from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia?
Were you prone to irregular menstrual cycles or long gaps between periods when younger?
Are you (or have you ever been) a smoker?
Have you taken certain medications – steroids, heparin, anticonvulsants, diuretics, long-term laxatives or antacids?
Have you had a thyroid problem - either under - or over-active?
Do you not take enough (or any) exercise?
Do you exercise too much?
Did you have an early menopause (before the age of 40)?
Have you had a hysterectomy and had your ovaries removed?
Do you have a digestive problem such as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, or coeliac disease?
Is your alcohol and/or caffeine intake heavy (more than seven units per week or two cups of coffee or tea per day)?
Are you underweight or slim and small-boned?
Have you already broken any bones?
Have you become shorter with age?
Have you never had children?
Are you post-menopausal?
Are you a woman?

"If so, you may be at risk of osteoporosis..."

Contents:

Introduction 9
Chapter 1 - What is osteoporosis? 14
Chapter 2 - Risk factors 20
Chapter 3 - Testing for osteoporosis 30
Chapter 4 - Drug treatments 38
Chapter 5 - The nutritional approach to healthy bones 55
Chapter 6 - It's not only about calcium 91
Chapter 7 - Take steps for stronger bones 114
Chapter 8 - Is osteoporosis in you genes? 123
Chapter 9 - The plan of action for osteoporosis 139
Chapter 10 - Men and osteoporosis 147
Chapter 11 - Eating for stronger bones 151
Appendix 1 - Glossary 179
Appendix 2 - Useful addresses 182
Appendix 3 - Clinic information 183
Appendix 4 - MOT health screen (Menopause and Osteoporosis Test)184
Appendix 5 - Genetic testing 186
References 187
Index 204
Acknowledgements 209