Fact gathering about osteoporosis in older men (e.g., me)


I posted this to Sci.Med and was referred here...


In a recent X-ray for a shoulder problem, the orthopedist noticed
osteopenia/osteoprosis and for the last few years, my glucose tests
have been borderline.
At 63, this is the first time I've heard this
and I'm trying to fathom why, since I don' t meet most of the risk
factors (genetics aside). Here is what I've come up with, and some
minor searching efforts (on the Web) seem to support, at least
somewhat, my conclusions. Of course, the searching method probably
biases the results.

I exercise regularly and have been doing so for 50 yrs.I've replaced
running with NordicTrack since 1987. I don't lift weights anymore. I
stand up much at work and walk there as well (lab scientist). I eat at
lowfat, high fiber diet that includes yogurt, skim milk, salads,
seafood, pasta, the occassional steak and have been interested in
nutrition since I was old enough to make my own decisions about food.
Adelle Davis was my guru. I put wheat germ and oat bran on my Kashi
Crunch/yogurt breakfast. My habits evolve as I read new info about
nutrition/ health that make some scientific sense (I'm a scientist).

1. For many years I've been on chronic aciphex (ppi) treatment for
indigestion. I believe it is a 24 hr. time release pill. It's made my
life much more enjoyable.

2. I try to eat a lot of fiber.

I may be disrupting Ca++ absorption by having killed HCl production in
my gut. Too much fiber may also prevent absorption of some minerals.
Though I take a multivitamin, I haven't been taking calcium
supplements or extra vitamin D in the Winter months.
I've stopped taking the 24 hr. Aciphex pill, and have gone back to the
late night H2 antagonist Axid ( I have a shitload of this pill I
stopped taking when I switched to Aciphex). I figured this would allow
more normal acid levels during most of the day. This info is all knew
and I will discuss it with my physician probably this coming week. I'm
being proactive ovah heah. I'm aware of some studies relating ppi's
to increased hip fractures, soda pop being implicated in bone loss
(grain of salt subs. here). I drink 2 (diet) cans a day though I've
cut back.
Comments? Intelligent ones?
p.s. expect I will die someday of something beyond my control no
matter how pristine my habits are (did I mention beer, single malt,
and the occassional stogie and pipefull?)

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