Your tips for healthy living with osteoporosis: What helps?

Welcome to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health group, a space for support, practical information, and answers to your questions from members like you about bone loss and healthy living.

Pull up a chair and let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What healthy living tip has helped you live well with osteoporosis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@notmoff

Yes, I am interested in the monthly OsteoBoston group you mentioned. How would I find it on YouTube.

My new largely homebound condition might change with information from both the new Mayo Connect group and your group.
I think my neglecting protein intake and weight lifting were largely responsible for my osteoporosis. Thanks for the reminders.

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Hi, @notmoff
If you want to view the videos on YouTube just go to YouTube and search for Osteo Boston, and if you subscribe you will be notified when new videos are out.

If you want to be able to watch the live presentations and ask questions you will need to be a member of the group. If you are interested in that I will private message the email address to you of the woman who oversees the group. It's basically her private email address so I don't think it's wise to put it on a public forum. I will email her about the email address, she may want to get one that would just be for Osteo Boston.

I do have to say here, there are occasionally presenters who are recommended but who I think are not that good which I think sometimes is the general consensus of the members. Most of the presenters are very good and informative though and welcome questions.
JK

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@johnbishop

Thanks for starting an Osteoporosis group @colleenyoung. Let me start by saying if I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken much better care of myself. I have degenerative arthritis and osteopenia neither of which has caused me much worry or concern until the past 2 or 3 years. The small aches and pains have become more prevalent and the fear of falling and breaking some bones is with me every step of the way.

My biggest challenge and tip if you are carrying a lot of weight is to make some permanent lifestyle changes to get your weight down. Eating healthier and exercising more is something we should all be doing but it's really important for those of us with osteoporosis or osteopenia. What has helped me with the weight loss and eating healthier is intermittent fasting and eating less carbs. We have a great discussion going if you need help:
-- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/

How about you Teri @tsc, do you have some health tips to share for healthy living with osteoporosis?

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Hi @johnbishop, I think that @jenniferhunter is right, it's important to stay active. There is much more information now about safe and appropriate exercise for osteoporosis now, compared to when my mother suffered with it in the early 90s. Dr. Loren Fisman's Twelve Poses for Osteoporosis, Bob and Brad's Exercises, Margaret Martin, Carol Michaels and Sara Meeks' work on exercise for osteoporosis is just a click away on Google.
I thought I was doing everything right with healthy eating and exercise so I was surprised when my Dexa Scan showed osteoporosis. I'm sure the year of weight loss and inactivity due to Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis didn't help my bones.
Also, it's important not to lose hope and take pleasure in the special moments life sends our way.

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I am 77 years old, and last year’s DXA showed mild osteoporosis. My Geriatrician agreed with my decision to avoid medication. I am in good health and take only one medication. My 13 year old grandson told me about Collagen Peptides. I looked up the research, and started on a good brand 3 weeks ago. I have very little arthritis, but it should also be good for joints, where collagen is lost.

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@johnbishop

Thanks for starting an Osteoporosis group @colleenyoung. Let me start by saying if I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken much better care of myself. I have degenerative arthritis and osteopenia neither of which has caused me much worry or concern until the past 2 or 3 years. The small aches and pains have become more prevalent and the fear of falling and breaking some bones is with me every step of the way.

My biggest challenge and tip if you are carrying a lot of weight is to make some permanent lifestyle changes to get your weight down. Eating healthier and exercising more is something we should all be doing but it's really important for those of us with osteoporosis or osteopenia. What has helped me with the weight loss and eating healthier is intermittent fasting and eating less carbs. We have a great discussion going if you need help:
-- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/

How about you Teri @tsc, do you have some health tips to share for healthy living with osteoporosis?

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Good advice.

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@notmoff

I'm a very slender 79 yr old caucasian lady who hoped that remaining active (hiking, cycling, walking), eating a lot of dairy, and avoiding smoking & drinking would reduce my chances that osteopenia would progress to osteoporosis. But here I am with a 10 year history of spinal compression fractures now resulting in kyphosis, scoliosis, significant back pain and a loss of about 5" inches in height.

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The same here. 64 years old. I use a walker or cane

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I have a fractured T12 veterbray and a very high osteoporosis score i have been very very active in my life to this point buy the fracture and the Osteoporosis stoped me in my tracks 72 years young
does stem cell work at all

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@junelightgoldberg

I am 77 years old, and last year’s DXA showed mild osteoporosis. My Geriatrician agreed with my decision to avoid medication. I am in good health and take only one medication. My 13 year old grandson told me about Collagen Peptides. I looked up the research, and started on a good brand 3 weeks ago. I have very little arthritis, but it should also be good for joints, where collagen is lost.

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If you have arthritis i have used Fresh barley juice or pills it worked good for years but now it is getting worse
I have been juicing 50 oz of vegetables a day works great but very hard to do and expensive $20 a day puts you in a great mood mentally and a natural antiflamator

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@mariadeastis

The same here. 64 years old. I use a walker or cane

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In reply to mariadeastis - I live in a small apartment and with my pain, I don't get out enough to need a cane or walker. How quickly things change!

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@notmoff

I'm a very slender 79 yr old caucasian lady who hoped that remaining active (hiking, cycling, walking), eating a lot of dairy, and avoiding smoking & drinking would reduce my chances that osteopenia would progress to osteoporosis. But here I am with a 10 year history of spinal compression fractures now resulting in kyphosis, scoliosis, significant back pain and a loss of about 5" inches in height.

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I feel that aging is the most common thing that causes osteoporosis and osteoarthritis..plus hereditary plays a big part..it is sad but I do not think taking drugs with awful side effects is the answer..exercise and diet will help but you cannot change the outcome ..I try to maintain by taking calcium and supplements..hope I do not get any worse. Hoping for the best

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@bettersleep68

I feel that aging is the most common thing that causes osteoporosis and osteoarthritis..plus hereditary plays a big part..it is sad but I do not think taking drugs with awful side effects is the answer..exercise and diet will help but you cannot change the outcome ..I try to maintain by taking calcium and supplements..hope I do not get any worse. Hoping for the best

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Yes, aging and hereditary play a big part. So do lifestyle changes, many included in information at OsteoBoston about selective use of medications, knowledgeable nutrition and more that might reduce early SEVERE outcomes.

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