The Senior Center for Health & Security

Osteoporosis - The "Silent" Disease

What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself

• 55% of Americans over age 50 are at risk of developing Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass.
• One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
• Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually. These fractures greatly reduce a patient's quality of life.
• An average of 24 percent of hip fracture patients aged 50 or older die within a year of their fracture.
• One out of five older hip fracture patients require long-term care.
• Six months after a hip fracture, only 15 percent of patients can walk across the room unaided.
• One out of every five hip fracture patients ends up in a nursing home.
• Osteoporosis-related hip fractures cost about $18 billion annually in hospital and nursing home costs.
• Most people don't realize they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden bump or fall causes a debilitating fracture.

What Can I Do to Prevent Osteoporosis?

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, there are five steps to optimize your bone health and help prevent osteoporosis:

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Weight-bearing and resistance-training
• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking and limited alcohol intake
• Talk to your doctor about bone health
• Bone density testing and medication when appropriate

Dairy's Role in Reducing the Risk of Osteoporosis

According to the USDA's Food Pyramid, adults over age 50 should consume 4 servings of low fat dairy foods and 1,200 milligrams of calcium every day. Without milk and milk products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, it is difficult for most older Americans to meet the USDA's guidelines.

The nutrients found in dairy products - calcium phosphorus and protein - all contribute to increased bone density and slow bone loss thus making dairy foods the perfect defense against osteoporosis and its debilitating effects.

• One cup of low fat (1%) milk has 300 milligrams of calcium
• One ounce of Swiss Cheese has 272 milligrams of calcium
• An eight ounce cup of low fat yogurt has 415 milligrams of calcium
• One half cup serving of vanilla ice cream has 84 milligrams of calcium

Seniors Priced Out of the Dairy Market

The price of milk and dairy products is at or near record highs. This hits seniors who live on fixed incomes particularly hard. With the number of Americans reaching retirement age about to double increasing the risks and cost associated with osteoporosis, it is crucial that policy-makers focus on lowering the cost of dairy products.