“Is osteoporosis hereditary?”
My mother has been diagnosed with osteoporosis... what are the chances that I will get this disease too? Should I start out on calcium supplements to prevent the disease or would that be a waste?
6 Answers
Osteoporosis can be prevented by 30 minutes of exercise daily, vitamin D 1000 units daily, and 20 min of sunlight daily. After menopause estrogen supplements will prevent it. Of course do not smoke, that makes it worse.
Greatest risk in low BMI, Caucasian women who are Post menopausal. Get bone density exam and if ok then supplemental calcium and vit D sufficient. Rare hereditary rate.
Osteoporosis is not necessarily a disease, but rather a condition that can affect all women passed menopause; the best defense against acquiring this decreased bone density is to start in your 30,s with regular bouts of simple wgt-bearing exercise and especially resistance training (weights/machines/push-up s etc); if you are in the 25-50 age range and eat a diet with lots of dairy , you really don’t need calcium supplements. Still very good idea to start taking a good women’s multivitamin in your 30’s and continue indefinitely. If you remain ACTIVE and put yourself thru regular periods of exercise where you are lifting or pushing or pulling and you need no more than 30 mins of heavy breathing sessions, and you have no other chronic diseases, your worries of osteoporosis can and should be minimal
Nabil A Ebraheim
Orthopedist
No, osteoporosis is not hereditary. Consult your doctors before starting any new medications.
yes
Sorry, did not finish my response:
I believe that through a good diet, no calcium supplements are needed. Vitamin D is also needed for healthy bones, and this can also be obtained through diet.
David T. Neuman, MD
I believe that through a good diet, no calcium supplements are needed. Vitamin D is also needed for healthy bones, and this can also be obtained through diet.
David T. Neuman, MD
