Womens Health
African American Women Don’t Need A Break, We Need Strong Bones
Facing particular disadvantages, here are a few things African American women can do to avoid osteoporosis.
A special message during National Women’s Health Week (May 14–20)
Osteoporosis, a disease that reduces bone mass, does not just affect white women as many believe. It strikes as many as one in every two post-menopausal women in the United States. Healthy bones are crucial to our overall health. They provide a framework for balance and fall prevention and store minerals our bodies need.
Osteoporosis results in 1.5 million bone fractures each year in the U.S. African American women are more likely to die from the consequences of these fractures.
These bone breaks can also cause a loss of mobility and independence, not to mention chronic pain. They also contribute to further bone loss and other health problems.
African American women actually have denser bones than white or Asian women and are less likely at face value to have osteoporosis. However, up to 75 percent of African Americans are lactose intolerant. This leads many to avoid milk products — a primary source of calcium.
In fact, African American women consume 50 percent less calcium than the recommended daily dietary allowance. Calcium serves a crucial role in building bone mass and preventing bone loss.
The risk for osteoporosis in African American women is also increased due to diseases prevalent in our race, such as sickle cell anemia…
Please read original article – African American Women Don’t Need A Break, We Need Strong Bones
