Latest news with #Osteoporosis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
After an Osteoporosis Diagnosis, I Increased My Bone Density Naturally—Here's Everything I Did
After an Osteoporosis Diagnosis, I Increased My Bone Density Naturally—Here's Everything I Did originally appeared on Parade. A lot happened to Luisa Milo when she was 51 years old. For starters, the now-retired dentist and certified personal trainer in New York was filing for divorce after finding out her spouse had cheated multiple times. She left the robust life and loving home she worked hard to create and maintain. And she received an osteoporosis diagnosis. Related: The One Simple Workout Move an Endocrinologist Is Begging People Over 50 To Do for Bone Health'The timing was cruelly poetic,' she says. "My body ached so badly and felt weaker than ever before. I felt broken emotionally and, now, physically…or so it felt at the time.' Her story isn't without hope, however. Ahead, read about her experience and how she increased her bone density naturally. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 Getting Diagnosed With Osteoporosis Milo's osteoporosis journey started when she entered menopause two years prior. And she's not alone in her experience: One in 10 postmenopausal women has osteoporosis. This population needs to consume more (but not too much) the start of menopause, she had lost 13 percent of bone density in sites except her wrist. She also needed a tooth extracted, a bone graft and a dental implant. But how do the latter three items play into her osteoporosis diagnosis?Essentially, she couldn't treat it all simultaneously. As a dentist, she knew she couldn't defer the dental procedures. However, she also remembered the chief of endocrinology at a top NYC hospital telling her that she needed an antiresorptive infusion, which slows down or prevents bone loss. Going through all that at once isn't necessarily safe or in a person's best interest. 'Antiresorptive medication can compromise the jaw bone's ability to heal from oral surgery in the time following the infusion,' Milo explains. She begged three doctors for estrogen replacement, and they all refused. Then, one outlined the necessity of heavy resistance training, which she soon began. Related: The #1 Best Strength Training Exercise for Bone Health, According to Personal Trainers for Seniors Milo decided to move forward with a more natural approach for another reason too. 'After surviving breast cancer at 34 and living with neuropathy from reconstructive surgery, I had no desire to rely on medications unless absolutely necessary,' she says. 'I wanted to reclaim agency in my healing and inspire others to do the same—especially those living with invisible disabilities like osteoporosis and neuropathy.' How Milo Increased Her Bone Density Naturally Milo naturally increased her bone density by five percent in eight months, effectively reversing the diagnosis. She shares the steps she took to get there with Parade. Resistance training Milo participated in progressive weight-bearing movements that stimulate osteogenesis, or bone-building. She also engaged in a variety of exercises: Pilates 2 times a week Walking with a weighted vest on every day with increased duration Heavy resistance training 3 times a week (including functional movements, like squatting, hinging, pulling, pushing and carrying) HIIT training 1-2 times a week Ballroom dancing for 2-4 hours a week Not going super hard from the start with the weighted vest is crucial, so she shares the progression that worked for her. It looks like this: Body weight walks and light runs with bodyweight resistance training, including Tai Chi-style movements. Wearing a five-pound weighted vest daily for 30 minutes, then an hour, then two hours—basically, as long as she could tolerate Wearing a 10-pound vest on walks and runs to resistance-train, and while running errands Wearing a 20-pound vest, resistance training with and without it, and walking and running in it Milo wants to clarify a few things, however: her routine isn't the only answer, weighted vests can cause discomfort and harm, and a person's best bet is to talk to their doctor first. Nutrition From a food standpoint, Milo encourages a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D with K2, magnesium, protein and whole foods. Some foods that fit into those categories include green, leafy vegetables, dairy products, seeds, nuts, chicken, eggs, quinoa, whole grain bread, fish and also suggests a protein-dense breakfast. For her, that meant consuming 30 grams of protein from various sources: eggs, meat, avocados, yogurt, cottage cheese, protein powder and ensure you're getting the ideal amount for your body, consider working with an anti-diet dietitian. Related: 'I'm an Osteoporosis Specialist, and This Is the Type of Cheese I Swear By for Bone Health' Restorative sleep Milo went to bed in a cold, dark room at 9 p.m. as consistently as possible, aiming to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Getting enough quality sleep is important for bone health because during sleep, old bone tissue is removed and new bone tissue is formed. This could explain why getting five or fewer hours of sleep is associated with lower bone mineral density and higher odds of osteoporosis. Emotional and spiritual wellness This category includes a lot of moving parts. Milo mentions therapy, journaling, spending time outdoors, enjoying being alone and spending time with people who leave her feeling energized. The research on how this benefits bone health is quite interesting. There's the fact that prolonged elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) can inhibit bone formation. Additionally, relaxation techniques reduce stress, which reduces inflammation in the bones and other areas. A 2019 study in Frontiers in Psychiatryconcluded that there are potentially molecular links between a pathological response to stress and the development of bone disease. This information is only a start. Medical insight Milo didn't go on this journey without medical help. She still went in for tests and imaging, and she consulted with various healthcare professionals for their best advice.'Dr. Kyle Gillett helped optimize my internal environment through judicious selection of bioidentical hormones and comprehensive and continued health metric monitoring over time,' Milo says. 'Bioidentical hormones' are created by compounded pharmacies or other manufacturers, she explains, and are derived from plants in the likeness of naturally occurring hormones. Her doctor helped her select some of those supplements to help with the menopause piece. The 'health metric monitoring' part, for her, entailed tri-annual or quarterly labs and follow-ups. Leaning into community resources Spending time with her support system also helped Milo. She recommends getting connected with resources, research and purpose through the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation's peer educator, advocacy and training opportunities. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. While this approach may not work for everyone, it worked for Milo—and the results speak for themselves. 'Within eight months of my osteoporosis diagnosis, I reversed my osteoporosis diagnosis and continued to restore my bone density,' Milo says. 'More than the numbers, I reclaimed my strength and mobility and safeguarded the vibrancy of my life.' Up Next:Sources: Luisa Milo, a retired dentist and certified personal trainer who increased her bone density naturally Menopause and Bone Loss, Endocrine Society Getting a good night's rest is important for better bone health, University at Buffalo The Link Between Stress, Mental Health, and Bone Health, National Osteoporosis Foundation South Africa Bones and Beyond: The Benefits of Self-Care for Both Body and Mind, Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation Impacts of Psychological Stress on Osteoporosis: Clinical Implications and Treatment Interactions, Frontiers in Psychiatry After an Osteoporosis Diagnosis, I Increased My Bone Density Naturally—Here's Everything I Did first appeared on Parade on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Record Twenty-Five States Take Action to Address Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention
May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month ARLINGTON, Va., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) announced today that 25 states have taken steps through legislation and executive action to tackle the costly and growing problem of osteoporosis. This is a record number of states participating in the annual campaign. Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Las Vegas – Nevada, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have passed, introduced legislation, or made gubernatorial proclamations calling for action to raise awareness and declare May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The states responded to a nationwide effort launched by BHOF to share information about this debilitating disease and its extremely high associated costs. The 2021 Milliman Research Report: Medicare Cost of Osteoporotic Fractures: The Clinical and Cost Burden of Fractures Associated with Osteoporosis provides a detailed report for all 50 states on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures, their healthcare impact, and Medicare costs. The report was commissioned by BHOF. It finds that total national costs of osteoporotic fractures will rise from $57 billion to over $95 billion by 2030 as our population ages. "We need to prioritize our bone health as a critical step in maintaining good health throughout our lives," said Claire Gill, CEO, BHOF. "Half of all women and one quarter of all men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime. Osteoporosis can lead to debilitating fractures and even death. These fractures can be prevented, and we appreciate the state policy leaders who are making their citizens aware about this disease and how to prevent it." There are simple steps that all people and their elected officials can take to strengthen bone health and reduce the burden of osteoporosis at the local and national level. This May, BHOF encouraged people to "Walk a Mile a Day in May" and had support from some well-known celebrities who created video messages to help raise awareness. These messages can be viewed on BHOF's social media platforms. About the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF), formerly the National Osteoporosis Foundation, is the leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, promoting strong bones for life and reducing human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy and research. Established in 1984, BHOF is the nation's largest health organization dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. For more information, visit Media Contact:Carina Maycmay@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
