New findings by researchers show that women keep building bone long after they stop gaining height. In fact, the researchers say that women in their late teens and 20’s can add bone mass and most likely reduce their chances of developing osteoporosis later in life by exercising and getting enough calcium. Furthermore, taking birth control pills may also help.
This is the first time that researchers have been able to establish that women add bone mass until near age 30 and that even modest lifestyle changes can increase their gains.
Researchers measured periodically the bone mineral content and density of 156 women. Activity levels were also monitored by instruments which were strapped to the women’s waists. The women kept written records of everything they ate. The researchers also updated the subjects’ height, weight, family history, and contraceptive use, every six months.
The results of the study show that the women who participated experienced a 12 percent gain in bone mass in their 20’s. Regular calcium consumption had the most significant effect on bone growth. Women who consumed 900 milligrams more per day than the RDA of 1,200 milligrams gained an average of 16.4 percent in bone density. Women whose total calcium intake averaged only 700 milligrams per day gained just 3.4 percent in bone density.
Researchers say that exercise was almost as important as calcium intake. Those women in the study who engaged in moderate exercise—walking, jogging or playing tennis—tended to add more bone mass than those who were basically inactive. Oral contraceptives, which contain estrogen, also appeared to help some of these women build bone mass, according to the study.
*172\27\8*
