There appear to be beneficial effects on the skeleton. Continue reading Benefits of tea drinking in older women
Category Archives: Osteoporosis
Evidence for massage to treat low-back pain
Few treatments for back pain are supported by strong scientific evidence. Conventional treatments have limited success and often result in dissatisfied patients who turn to CAM.
A review from the Cochrane Collaboration concluded, “massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education.”
Continue reading Evidence for massage to treat low-back pain
Getting “enough” exercise
It’s the eternal argument: How do we get the benefits while minimizing the risks?
For those of us in middle age, I think this article at USNews.com by Helen Hobson brings reason to the debate. Continue reading Getting “enough” exercise
Exercise to prevent osteoporosis
Bone-loading exercises help prevent osteoporosis.
But which ones to choose?
Preventing fractures in older people
Researchers from the University of Western Sydney in Australia reviewed 40 years of research that compared calcium with or without vitamin D in older adults.
They looked at the ultimate outcome of treatment — fracture rate associated with osteoporotic bone loss. Continue reading Preventing fractures in older people
Coffee: Should you drink it or not?
Let’s see, since June last year this blog has summarized 8 reports on the effects of coffee and caffeine and health.
What should we make of all this?
Should men with osteopenia or osteoporosis practice tai chi?
I don’t know. But my first thought about this study is that a statistical improvement does not necessarily mean there’s a change that could affect your health in a meaningful way.
Continue reading Should men with osteopenia or osteoporosis practice tai chi?
Effect of soy isoflavones on bone in postmenopausal women
Previous studies on the effect of soy isoflavones on bone health have been disappointing. So, a positive response to soy isoflavones on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck is of interest.
Continue reading Effect of soy isoflavones on bone in postmenopausal women
Vitamin K and prevention of fractures
A review of 13 randomized controlled studies reported, “supplementation with phytonadione and menaquinone-4 reduces bone loss. In the case of the latter, there’s a strong effect on incident fractures among Japanese patients.”
Here’s some background and then the facts.
DHEA quality control questioned
“The main voices in favor of DHEA as a miracle drug are those who are selling it or who make a good living selling books or programs advocating ‘natural cures’.” That’s the conclusion from the Skeptics Dictionary. But look for yourself, and you will agree.
Here is another reason to be skeptical of DHEA [dehydroepiandrosterone].