THINNESS/ LACK OF FAT CAN CAUSE OSTEOPOROSIS

Report #6222 6/12/94

A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that being very skinny or losing weight can cause osteoporosis in older people.

Scientist at Loma Linda University measured the bone densities of older women for several years. They found that those who lost the most weight, lost the most bone. Having extra body fat helps to keep bones strong.

When men lose their male hormone, testosterone, or women lose their female hormone, estrogen, their bones lose calcium and weaken at an alarming rate. Men are supposed to keep their male hormones forever, but they suffer a progressive drop in testosterone after age 50. Women lose most of their hormones at once at the average age of 52 and their bones lose calcium at a rate that increases 3 to 5 times. Body fat manufactures estrogen, so postmenopausal women who have the most fat in their bodies usually have the strongest bones.

They also found that vegetarian women who eat diary products have the same rate of bone loss as those who eat meat and that dietary calcium intake does not prevent bone loss. Taking extra calcium does not prevent osteoporosis, but not getting enough calcium causes it. Dairy products are the most significant source of absorbable calcium in America today and those who do not eat dairy products or soft-boned fish regularly probably should take calcium pills, such as four 600-mg calcium carbonate pills each day. Prevention of osteoporosis involves replacing lost hormones such as estrogen, getting enough dietary calcium, not being too skinny/ and exercising. Eating way too much protein can also increase your chances of getting osteoporosis.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News