Winter Maladies: Natural Approaches
June Russell's Health Facts
Alcohol - Osteoporosis
More than 2 million men in the U.S. have osteoporosis and another 3 million are at high risk for this potentially crippling disease. Men get this disease 5 years later than women. Each year up to 1/3 of the 300,000 hip fractures in the U.S. occur in men - and a broken hip is more likely to lead to death in men than women. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to slow bone loss. (“Osteoporosis in Men,” HealthNews newsletter, Aug. 26, 1997)
1.3 million fractures result in 30,000 deaths a year in the U.S. - fractures from thinning bones. (Newsweek, June 26, 1995)
1 in 3 men is affected by osteoporosis by the age of 75, so it is not only a woman’s disease. (“Not for Women’s Bones Only,” Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, Nov. 1997)
25 million Americans have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and it is estimated that 9 out of 10 Americans have bone densities that are less than optimal. Osteoporosis - VitalCast.com - Feb. 2000)
A good diet is essential, and alcohol consumption contributes to bone loss with resultant pain and inflammation. Ask the Experts, Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D., & N.D., Natural Health magazine, July/Aug. 1998)
About 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, and every year more than 1.5 million people break bones as a result of osteoporosis. Alcohol stimulates a protein called interleukin-6 in cells and higher levels of interleukin-6 correspond to low bone density. (“Alcohol, bone disease link under study,” The Daily Progress newspaper, in Charlottesville, Virginia, December 13, 1997)
10 million women already have osteoporosis and 18 million have low bone mass, placing them at risk for this disease. (“Bone Power,” in the Energy Times magazine, May 1997)
The risk of osteoporosis increases for those women who regularly consume alcohol. (“Osteoporosis,” cbs.medscape.com - Oct. 1999)
Some risk factors are related to lifestyle. Studies have shown that bone density is inversely related to alcohol consumption. (“Osteoporosis: Not for Women Only,” The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter Health After 50,” Dec. 1999)
Alcohol contributes to osteoporosis, says Christiane Lothrup, M.D. (in her book “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom: Creating physical and emotional health and healing, 1994)
Your ability to absorb calcium from foods and supplements declines with age. The elderly may experience an increase in the production of parathyroid hormone, which can accelerate the loss of calcium from the bones. Calcium supplements alone don't provide the spectrum of nutrients the body needs to beat osteoporosis, and one can absorb only between 10% and 60% of the calcium in the diet, and typically with cow’s milk only 20% to 40% is absorbed . Along with the lack of exercise, the use of alcohol predisposes you to osteoporosis. (in the book, Permanent Remissions,” by Robert Haas, 1997)
Researchers say substances found in fruits and vegetables, such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene, fiber and vitamin. C, can keep middle-aged women’s bones strong and fracture free. The authors pointed out that most studies on nutrition and bone health have focused on calcium intake and paid less attention to the role of other micronutrients. Potassium appears to slow the excretion of calcium from the body while increasing rates of bone formation, and magnesium is extremely important in skeletal metabolism. (“Nutrients in fruit and vegetables linked to bone health,” HealthCentral.com - May 2000)
Studies indicate that risk factors of developing osteoporosis includes alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity, and these are much more important factors than calcium deficiency. Osteoporosis affects over 28 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women. (“Osteoporosis Affects More People Than You Think,” laurushealth.com - May 2001)
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. (American Medical Association, 1994)
Alcohol detracts from bone mass.(“Why Milk Matters for Children and Teens,” Building Strong Bones, stopgettingsick.com, May 2001)
Alcohol is a contributing factor for bone disease. (Effects of Alcohol on Osteoporosis: ‘Milk - The Deadly Poison’ by Robert Cohen)
The person who drinks alcohol (among other risks, like smoking) is most likely to suffer from osteoporosis. (drmirkin.com - Aug. 2001. Taken from the American Journal of Medicine, May 1995)
Alcohol disrupts calcium balance in many ways. Alcohol exposure increases parathyroid hormone (which can put a strain on the body’s calcium reserve), increases magnesium excretion (which can further negatively impact bone health), and can inhibit the production of enzymes found in the liver and kidney that convert the inactive form of vitamin D to its active form. Excessive levels of cortisol have been linked to decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption, and alcohol exposure can stimulate osteoclasts (cells responsible for the resorption or breakdown of bone). Alcoholic consumption is linked to different types of fractures, including those of the wrist and ribs. The most effective treatment for alcohol-induced bone changes is abstinence. (NIH, Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, July 2000) Author’s comment: Overproduction of cortisol is caused by alcohol use as well as stress.
Alcohol is toxic to the bone marrow cells. (in the book “Total Nutrition,” Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Victor Herbert, M.D., 1995)
In a study of 84,000 women, moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with an increased risk of both hip fractures and forearm fractures, also a negative influence on bone strength, Women are more vulnerable than men because they have a smaller bones than men, therefore less bone mass to lose before they reach a critical level of bone strength. Alcohol leeches calcium from bone, reducing bone strength. (Carol Popkin, Program Manager of Highway Safety Research Center at Univ. of N.C., in her presentation of “Healthy People/Healthy Environments. In Prevention File - Special Edition 1992. Publication of the Univ. of Calf. at San Diego. “Alcohol and Other Drugs.”
Cigarette smoking and alcohol use raise the risk of developing osteoporosis. Bone loss is a silent condition and young people may not realize they have lost bone density until they fracture something. Those who max out their bone capacity while young build up a reservoir of strength that they can draw upon as they age. (HealthCentral.com - “The Silent Enemy of your Bones.” June 6, 2000) 25 million Americans have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and it is estimated that 9 out of 10 Americans have bone densities that are less than optimal. (Osteoporosis, Vitalcast.Com - Feb. 2000)
“Don't smoke, and limit alcohol consumption,” is Ann Lander’s advice to those who have lifestyles that ensure a greater incidence of osteoporosis. (Feb. 1992 column, Daily Progress - Charlottesville newspaper))
Men are more likely to suffer a hip fracture from osteoporosis than to develop prostate cancer. Two million American men have osteoporosis, and an estimated 3 million more are at risk - and men are more likely to be permanently disabled and even die after an osteoporotic hip fracture than are women. (Anne Alexander, Editor-in-Chief, “From the Editor,” Prevention, July 2000)
According to the Osteoporosis Foundation, one in two women and one in five men will fracture a bone weakened by osteoporosis during their lifetimes. Over 50,000 Americans - mostly women - die each year from complications with osteoporosis-caused fractures (e.g. blood clots, pneumonia). The numbers are expected to skyrocket with today’s aging population. Osteoporotic fractures can occur from simple routine actions such as changing a bed sheet or sitting on the toilet. ( Osteoporosis called “Silent Killer,” Compassion Net Connection Lane Labs - Winter 2000)
Cut down on alcohol, as it is a risk factor for osteoporosis for it increases the urinary loss of calcium. (GreatLife magazine, “Take These Steps to Prevent Osteoporosis Naturally,” March 1998)
Cutting out alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of a fracture. Osteoporosis affects an estimated 28 million Americans, 80% are women. An estimated 20% of elderly people who break a hip die within a year of the fracture. (“Use of osteoporosis diagnostic test on the rise,” Daily Progress, March 22, 1999)
“Prevention is the best cure,” says Susan Brown, Ph.D., a certified clinical nutritionist, medical anthropologist and author of “Better Bones, Better Body.” Avoid the “bone robbers” which includes alcohol. (Nutrition Advisor, “Can Calcium Prevent Osteoporosis?” Delicious! magazine, Jan. 1998)
Research has linked both smoking and alcohol consumption with increased risk of osteoporosis. (“Help for a Crippling Disease,” Reader’s Digest, Aug., 1998) Alcohol may be as bad for the bones as it is for the liver. Even small amounts of alcohol increase calcium loss and adversely affects Vitamin. D metabolism (Reader’s Digest, “Osteoporosis,” Nov. 1985)
Alcohol limits the stomach’s production of hydrochloric acid which is necessary for the absorption of calcium and other nutrients. It also interferes with the absorption of magnesium and contributes to its removal from the body. When magnesium is lost in the urine, it takes calcium with it. (Women’s Health Connection, “Boning Up on Osteoporosis.” July 1997)
Moderate to heavy use of alcohol is a risk factor for osteoporosis. (“Our Strong Recommendation for Bone Density Testing,” Health after 50, Johns Hopkins Medical Letter, Oct. 1997) Some risk factors are related to lifestyle. Studies have shown that bone density is inversely related to alcohol consumption. Aluminum-containing antacids are associated with accelerated bone loss. (Osteoporosis: “Not for Women Only,” John Hopkins Medical Letter Health After 50, Dec. 1999)
Calcium absorption and metabolism for the purpose of building bone is virtually impossible without the correct form of calcium, plus proper balances of several other vital nutrients that work hand in hand with calcium. (Bio/Tech News, Fall 1999)
For 28 million Americans (80% women), osteoporosis is a major public health threat, 10 million people already have the disease and 18 million more have low bone mass. Limit alcohol use because it is one of the risk factors. (National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2000)
In a study of 84,000 women, moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with an increased risk of both hip fractures and forearm fractures. Alcohol leeches calcium from bone, reducing bone strength. Women are more vulnerable than men because they have smaller bones than men, therefore less bone mass to lose before they reach a critical level of bone strength. (“Healthy People, Healthy Environments,” Alcohol and Other Drugs, University of California at San Diego)
Alcohol contributes to osteoporosis. (Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, Christiane Northrop, M.D.)
Regularly consuming alcoholic beverages may be damaging to bones. Limit alcohol consumption. (CBS Medscape, October 1999)
There are 30,000 deaths in a year in the U.S. from 1.3 million fractures from thinning bones (osteoporosis). (Newsweek, June 26, 1995)
Author’s comments: See Alcohol - Vitamins/Nutrients. Alcohol also has a negative effect on the absorption of calcium and other needed nutrients that work together with calcium to prevent osteoporosis.
As a living tissue, bone is susceptible to the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. While drinking during adolescence increases the risk of bone disease in later life, adult drinking weakens the skeleton by intefering with the remodeling of bone that continues throughout life. Alcohol appears to weaken bone largely by inhibiting the function of specialized cells that deposit new layers of bone during remodeling. ("Alcohol's Harmful Effects On Bone," NIAAA 1998)
Alcohol creates a negative calcium balance in the body. ("The Truth about Osteoporosis," John Lee, M.D., March 2002 - www.johnleemd.com)
Because it decreases levels of calcium and vitamin D in the body, moderate to heavy alcohol use can reduce bone mass. ("Osteoporosis," Women's Health Letter, Nan Katherine Fuchs, PhD, Feb. 2001)
Alcohol should be reduced or eliminated, says Janet Zand, L.Ac, O.M.D., in an article on "Healthy Bones." (HealthWorld Online Feb. 2002)
Alcohol use depresses bone formation. ("Taking a Look at Women's Health," Nutrition News, 1997)
Alcohol use contributes to osteoporosis. ("Osteoporosis--Not Inevitable," exerpted from Spectrum Magazine, garynull.com - August 2002)