My doctor told me I had Osteopenia. What is osteopenia and how should it be treated?
Osteopenia is a recent term that describes bone thinning that has not reached osteoporosis proportions. It is considered a precursor to osteoporosis and defined as a decrease in bone mineral content. In general, the lower the bone density, the higher risk of fracture. When there is a diminished quantity of bone found during a bone density test, but not to levels consistent with osteoporosis, a person may be told they have osteopenia. In essence, the term should be thought of as a ‘warning sign’ that bone health should be addressed and optimized. Adequate calcium intake is crucial for optimal bone development. If osteopenia has developed, then concentrating on calcium intake should be a major focus. The majority of women do not have an adeqate intake of caclium in their diet. Since multivitamins (and even prenatal vitamins) do not contain enough calcium for your daily needs, many women will need a calcium supplement. TUMS® is a leading source of calcium since its inception. It contains
