Avoid alcohol and cigarettes

To prevent osteoporosis, it is also advisable to keep the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes at a very low level. In smokers, the blood flow to various organs, including the bones, is severely restricted and the ingredients of cigarette smoke also promote the breakdown of estrogens, both of which promote the development of osteoporosis. Alcohol often causes calcium and nutrient deficiencies, and also inhibits the formation of proteins in the liver, which also increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Medications for the prevention of osteoporosis

The primary means of preventing osteoporosis are regular exercise, adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D and exposure to sunlight. Taking medication with the aim of preventing osteoporosis, in addition to calcium or vitamin D. -preparations, is not recommended. However, it should be noted that a number of drugs are known to have osteoporosis- or fracture-promoting effects.

It is therefore advisable to carry out a precise assessment of the benefits and risks of these drugs with regard to osteoporosis prevention. Such effects are known for the following drugs: Antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs, Glitazones, which are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, glucocorticoids, proton pump inhibitors, for the treatment of stomach diseases such as heartburn, especially if taken over a long period of time, and L-thyroxine, which is used in the case of hypothyroidism. If you are concerned about your personal risk of osteoporosis when taking these drugs, you should consult your doctor and be informed about it.

In general, taking hormones to prevent osteoporosis is not recommended. Although estrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women is one of the main reasons for osteoporosis, it has not yet been proven that taking the hormone is a suitable method of long-term prevention. The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to take sufficient exercise, preferably in the fresh air, and to eat a balanced diet.

The main cause of osteoporosis in women is estrogen deficiency after menopause, as estrogen has a stimulating effect on bone formation. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that taking estrogens after the menopause reduces the risk of osteoporosis.Despite extensive studies, no clear result could be found so far, whether the therapy with estrogens actually has a positive effect regarding the prevention of osteoporosis. One reason for this is that the stimulating influence of estrogens is lost when the therapy is discontinued and bone density quickly decreases to values that even women of the same age without the therapy show.

Such a therapy would therefore have to be carried out for 20 years or more in order to actually have a decisive effect. However, the use of estrogen also carries risks, as it naturally affects the whole body and not just the bones. Estrogen is known to increase the risk of cancer and thrombosis. Whether the positive effects in terms of osteoporosis outweigh these risks and whether such preventive measures are therefore worthwhile is not certain.