FAQs

Knowing your bone density is an important piece of your health profile. Having this information can help determine if you are at a higher risk of osteoporosis, or fractures. Most commonly doctors use DXA, Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. DXA has the ability to determine body composition, bone, fat, muscle, water. With this technology the X-ray beam is focused on two points, one is the area of interest such as the hip or spine, this is where the the bone density will be determined. The other point is in the nearby soft tissue.  This system comes up with a value by subtracting out the soft tissue area.  

Like any technology DXA has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

- low levels of radiation

- accuracy and precision

- provides information on soft tissue as well as bone mineral

- ease of measuring

Disadvantages:

- does not give a measurement for the entire bone architecture, and can measure calcification unrealted to bone.

- will measure calcification unrelated to bone strength

- provides a 2 dimensional estimate of a 3 dimensional bone

- it does not differentiate between the different layers that make up our bones

Who should have a DXA scan and when?

- women over 65 who have

     -a family history of osteoporosis

     -a history of fractures or stress fractures

     -those who take glucocorticoids (steroids) to manage a health condition

     -post menopausal women who are underweight or have slight stature

- also possibly under the recomendation of a physician men and women who 

 -have excessive alcohol intake

     -sedentary lifestyle

     -recent fall history

     -excessive caffeine consumption

     -athletes with a history of stress fractures

     -underweight athletes

     -young women with a history of eating disorders

What nutrients should I consume to avoid a stress fracture?

Repetitive exercise causing excessive pressure on the bones can cause microscopic damage, and without enough time between exercise sessions to repair the damage the result is a stress fracture. Stress fractures are a very common injury in athletes, with the majority of fractures happening in the lower body.  A stress fracture typically has localized pain, and swelling, it will not always show on an x-ray. One thing you can do to help prevent stress fractures is maintain a healthy diet, protein, calcium, and vitamin D in particular will help keep bones healthy and strong.

Protein - protein is an important source of amino acids which are necessary for bone construction. Good sources of protein are chicken, yogurt, and eggs.

Calcium - calcium is a nutrient that is essential for the formation and health of bones. Calcium contributes significantly to strengthen our bones. Good sources of calcium are kale, white beans, and milk.

Vitamin D - vitamin D works to enhance calcium absorption, and helps with mineral balance in bones. It helps maintain a healthy breakdown, and rebuilding ratio within the bone. Good sources of vitamin D are salmon, eggs, and fortified orange juice.