PopSugar

Get the Look: Bob and Lee's Living Room on Desperate Housewives

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0800

Of all the Desperate Housewives on Wisteria Lane, it's the newest couple, Bob and Lee, that have the chicest house on the block. In this week's episode, "The Chase," Gabby's neighborly visit gave us a sneak peek at their swanky digs and even a peep into the pending baby nursery. The orange ultrasuede couch is party foul-safe, and the chrome arc lamp makes checking one's lipstick a cinch.

If you want to chill your martinis and shake your groove thang like these dapper men, check out the widget below.

Found It! Orange Floor Lamp

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:00:34 -0700

If you caught my recent Get the Look on this room, you may have been charmed by the orange floor lamp standing in the corner. Orange can be a very bold color, especially in a white room, but here it just adds a touch of subtle and fresh color. And since it picks up some of the tones in the artwork and the rug, it brings everything in the room together. I knew I'd seen this lamp before but couldn't remember where at the time of my post. As it turns out, it's quite the famous fixture. To hear where it's from, read more.

The lamp was designed in 1950 by a French company by the name of Jieldé, and was inspired by railway lights. Its industrial, flexible, and elegant qualities make it a timeless piece, and it can bend in any direction, making it quite versatile. A few styles of the lamp are available, including a table, floor, and ceiling lamps, but the one shown is known as the Signal lamp. It's available at Kárikter in the US for $1,200.
Source and Source

Get the Look: Eddie Ross's Bloomie's Window Display, Part II

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:30:57 -0800

Bloomingdale's is hosting a design contest between three interior designers in the windows of its flagship store in NYC, and so in Part I I began to show you how to recreate this gorgeous room designed by Eddie Ross. There are a few more fabulous furnishings needed to get the look, and I've got the lowdown on where you can pick them up. To see them, read more.

The Mirrored Cocktail Table ($459) is from Neiman Marcus. You can pick up a similar lamp with the Fine Home Lamps Bottle Blue Porcelain Lamp ($276) - so gorgeous!

I think the orange artwork is really the pièce de résistance of this space. It pulls all the colors in the room together, and the large scale makes it a focal point on top of all the other smaller patterns. The piece is called Cirsk #1 by artist Campbell Laird, and you can have one printed on paper or canvas in a range of sizes from Artaissance ($119 and up).

The cranberry-colored glasses on the coffee table are from the William Yeoward Crystal Stemware Collection ($142 and up).

Another element of the design is a bookcase filled with blue and white delftware. You can pick some up at Blue Delft!

You can read about Eddie's concept for the room here and here. The contest, called The Big Window Challenge, runs through Jan. 28. Take a look at the other contestants and vote for your favorite online (you know who I'm voting for!) up to twice a day. Or, you can vote by texting 1 to 89800 for Eddie's design (or 2 or 3 for the other designs).

Photos by Kristy May and Addie Juell

Found It! Daniel Meade's Desk Lamp

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:30:24 -0800

I'm a huge fan of Ugly Betty. I've been told that I even have an extra-loud belly laugh during the show. Besides admiring the great writing, acting, and physical comedy on the show, I've also been impressed with the thoughtful set design. While watching the show, I'd seen quite a few elements that seemed familiar, such as this orange lamp. I knew that I'd seen Betty's boss Daniel Meade's desk lamp before, but I couldn't quite remember where.

To find out where to buy this lamp, just read more.

This saffron-shaded mushroom lamp is the Nesso Lamp ($339). Also available in white, it was designed by Giancarlo Mattioli in 1967, and is made in Italy by Artemide. You can also find this cool little table lamp (which can also be wall mounted), in the Twentieth Century Design Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc. and Source

Slit-lamp exam

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:17:10 -0700

Illustrations

Eye

Slit-lamp exam

Eye lens anatomy

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

The slit-lamp examination looks at structures that are at the front of the eye.

Alternative Names

Biomicroscopy

How the test is performed

The slit-lamp is a low-power microscope combined with a high-intensity light source that can be focused to shine in a thin beam.

You will sit in a chair with the instrument placed in front of you. You will be asked to rest your chin and forehead on a support to keep your head steady.

The health care provider will examine your eyes and may touch a fine strip of paper stained with an orange-colored dye (fluorescein) to the side of your eye. The dye stains the tear film on the surface of the eye to help with the examination. The dye rinses out of the eye with tears.

After this examination, drops may be placed in your eyes to dilate the pupils. The drops take about 15 to 20 minutes to work. The examination is then repeated, allowing the back of the eye to be examined.

How to prepare for the test

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

How the test will feel

Your eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours after the exam if dilating drops are used.

Why the test is performed

The test is used to examine the eyelids, the sclera, conjunctiva, iris, lens, and the cornea.

Normal Values

Structures in the eye are found to be normal.

What abnormal results mean

The slit lamp exam may detect many diseases of the eye, including:

What the risks are

The dilating drops may cause increased pressure in the eye with nausea and pain. This is very rare, but you should IMMEDIATELY return to your doctor's office if you experience either of these symptoms.

Review Date: 8/17/2007

Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003880

Skin wrinkles and blemishes

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:59 -0700

Tonometry

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:10:25 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
How the test is performed
How to prepare for the test
How the test will feel
Why the test is performed
Normal Values
What abnormal results mean
What the risks are

Illustrations

Eye

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Tonometry is a test to measure the pressure inside your eyes. The test is used to screen for glaucoma.

Alternative Names

Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement; Glaucoma test

How the test is performed

There are several methods of testing for glaucoma.

The applanation method measures the force required to flatten a certain area of the cornea. A fine strip of paper stained with orange dye is touched to the side of the eye. The dye stains the front of the eye to help with the examination, then rinses out with tears. An anesthetic drop is also placed in the eye.

The slit-lamp is placed in front of you and you rest your chin and forehead on a support that keeps your head steady. The lamp is moved forward until the tonometer touches the cornea. The light is usually a blue circle. The health care provider looks through the eyepiece on the lamp and adjusts the tension on the tonometer. There is no discomfort associated with the test.

A slightly different method of applanation uses an object similar to pencil. Again, you are given numbing eye drops to prevent any discomfort. The device touches the outside of the eye and instantly records eye pressure.

The last method is the noncontact method (air puff). In this method, your chin rests on a padded stand. You stare straight into the examining device. The eye doctor shines a bright light into your eye to properly line up the instrument, and then delivers a brief puff of air at your eye. The machine measures eye pressure by looking at how the light reflections change as the air hits the eye.

How to prepare for the test

Remove contact lenses before the examination. The dye can permanently stain contact lenses.

Inform the health care provider if you have corneal ulcers and infections, an eye infection, if you are taking any drugs, or if you have a history of glaucoma in your family.

How the test will feel

If numbing eye drops were used, you should not have any pain. In the noncontact method, you may feel mild pressure on your eye.

Why the test is performed

People over age 40, especially African-Americans, are at the highest risk for developing glaucoma. Regular eye exams can help detect glaucoma early, when it can usually be treated.

Normal Values

The eye pressure is within the normal range.

Normal eye pressure range is 10 - 21 mm Hg.

What abnormal results mean

Glaucoma may be detected.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

Hyphema
Trauma to the eye or head
Before and after eye surgery

What the risks are

If the applanation method is used, there is a small chance the cornea may be scratched (corneal abrasion). This will normally heal itself within a few days.

Review Date: 4/7/2008

Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network 2/22/2007).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003447

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:30:14 -0700

Find out more about this orange floor lamp.
Learn the best way to clean up broken glass.
Get the look of the film I Love You, Man.
What do you think of designer Kristen Buckingham's home style?
Check out my roundup of grays with blue and purple undertones.
Can you tell me the name of this flower?
I love the concept behind these wine cellars.
Try a Spring change with an interior window box.

Source

Happy Hour: Hurricane

partysugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:00:53 -0800

Bring a little Mardi Gras spirit into your kitchen this weekend by mixing up a classic hurricane cocktail. Created at Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orleans, this drink is potent, yet incredibly tasty - almost like fruit punch.

Made with rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and passion fruit nectar, it's a tropical breath of fresh air, especially delicious in the dead of Winter.

Although the ingredient list is a little long, this refreshingly fruity drink is worth the effort. Traditionally, it's served in a glass that's shaped like a hurricane lamp, but any large glass will do. To get the recipe, read more.

Hurricane
From Dale Degroff's The Essential Cocktail

Ingredients

1 ounce Meyer's dark rum
1 ounce light rum*
1/2 ounce Galliano*
2 ounces fresh-squeezed orange juice
2 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice
1 ounce passion fruit syrup or passion fruit nectar*
3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
Dash of Angostura bitters
Fresh tropical fruit, such as pineapple, passion fruit, or orange, for garnish

Directions

Combine the dark and light rums, Galliano, orange juice, pineapple juice, passion fruit nectar, lime juice, syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice and shake well.
Strain into an ice-filled hurricane (or serving) glass and garnish with fruit.

Makes 1 drink.

*My liquor cabinet did not have light rum, so I used 2 ounces of dark rum. Neither the local super market or liquor store had Galliano, so I substituted another Italian liquor, Tuaca. I also couldn't find passion fruit syrup or nectar, so I used guava nectar. Despite these changes, the cocktail was still fantastic!

Print recipe with images | without images

View 7 Photos ›

Osteoporosis

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:56 -0700

Overview

Signs and Symptoms
What Causes It?
Risk Factors
Preventive Care
What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
Treatment Options
Special Considerations
Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease in which the bones gradually become weak and brittle. That often results in fractures -- especially of the hip, wrist, and spine -- even from simple activities like lifting a chair or bending over. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, while another 18 million have low bone mass and are at an increased risk for the disease. Osteoporosis is common among the elderly, but the disease can strike at any age. Although it is more common in older women, men can also have the disease.

Osteoporosis is a potentially crippling disease. The latest estimates from the NIH indicate that osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually. Fortunately, most Americans can avoid osteoporosis altogether by eating well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Signs and Symptoms

Osteoporosis is sometimes considered a "silent disease" because bone loss can occur without symptoms. In fact, many people may not know they have the disease until they break a bone. Osteoporosis can also cause a vertebra (one of the 33 bony segments that form the spine) to collapse. Signs of a collapsed vertebra include:

Back pain
Loss of height
Kyphosis -- curvature of the spine that causes a humplike deformity

What Causes It?

How strong and dense your bones are results in part from the amount of calcium and other minerals they contain. Your body is constantly making new bone and breaking down (reabsorbing) old bone. When you are young, this process happens quickly, and you make more bone than you lose, so you build bone mass. After your mid-30s, your body continues to make new bone, but more slowly, so that you lose more bone than you make. The amount of bone you have in your 30s helps determine your risk of developing osteoporosis later. For women, bone loss increases significantly at menopause, when estrogen levels drop.

Other than age and menopause, causes of osteoporosis can include:

Long-term use of certain medications, particularly corticosteroids and thyroid medications (see Warnings and Precautions section)
Cushing's syndrome (when the adrenal glands produce too much of a hormone called cortisol)
Kidney failure
Diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands
Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K, and magnesium (however, high intake of vitamin A may actually increase the risk of osteoporosis)
Anorexia nervosa
Alcoholism
Rheumatoid arthritis

Risk Factors

Being female
Being older -- after age 75, the risk is the same for men and women
Being of European or Asian ancestry
Living a sedentary lifestyle
Being very thin
Family history of osteoporosis
Late onset of menstruation or early menopause
Smoking cigarettes, drinking too much caffeine, or drinking alcohol regularly
Diet low in calcium or high in sodium
Long-term use of certain medications, including corticosteroids, diuretics, and thyroid medications
Depression

Preventive Care

Osteoporosis can be prevented. Because your body builds bone mass until you are in your 30s, prevention should start early. Making sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D (required for your body to use calcium) is essential.

Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or lifting weights, as well as other exercises, including tai chi, can also help stave off the disease. Research has shown that exercise early in life boosts bone mass, while exercise later in life helps to maintain bone mass. Exercise also increases strength, coordination and balance -- important tools to help prevent falls that cause fractures, especially in the elderly.

Other techniques for prevention include:

Adding soy to your diet.
Quitting smoking.
Limiting caffeine to about three cups of coffee a day.
For women, hormone replacement therapy (hormone replacement therapy has significant side effects, including increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots, and heart disease).

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If your doctor believes you are at risk for osteoporosis, the doctor often recommends a bone mineral density test (BMD) to determine your bone mass. This test is painless, noninvasive, and safe. It typically measures bone density in the spine, wrist, and hip (the most common sites of fractures due to osteoporosis), while others measure bone in the heel or hand.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a BMD for women who are not taking estrogen and:

Use any medications that put you at risk for osteoporosis
Had an early menopause
Have a family history of osteoporosis, kidney disease, liver disease, or type 1 diabetes
Are over 50, postmenopausal, with at least one risk factor for osteoporosis
Are over 65 and have never had a BMD

Treatment Options

For those who are at risk for osteoporosis or already have the disease, current treatments are designed to boost bone mass and prevent (further) bone loss. While calcium by itself doesn't cure or prevent osteoporosis, getting enough calcium is an essential part of any prevention or treatment program. Making lifestyle choices, such as consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and participating in a weight-bearing exercise program can also enhance bone strength.

Lifestyle

Diet

Studies suggest that diets rich in the following foods and nutrients may help prevent bone loss in both men and women:

Calcium -- Low-fat milk, cheese, and broccoli are rich in calcium. Orange juice and cereals often are fortified with calcium
Magnesium -- Avocado, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew, lima beans, low-fat milk, nectarine, orange juice, potato, spinach
Potassium -- Whole grains, nuts, spinach, oatmeal, potato, peanut butter
Vitamin D -- The body makes vitamin D after exposure to sunlight. It is also found in fatty fish and fortified cereals and milk
Vitamin K -- Leafy greens, cauliflower
Fruits
Vegetables

Exercise

Exercise can help prevent bone loss. Although it is helpful to begin exercising when you are young (to help build bone), it's never too late to get the benefit. Weight-bearing exercise (walking, weight-lifting) stimulates bones to produce more cells, slowing bone loss. Exercise also improves balance, flexibility, strength, and coordination -- thereby reducing falls and fractures associated with osteoporosis.

Drug Therapies

Although the standard treatment for osteoporosis for postmenopausal women used to be estrogen, there are new options for men and for women who are wary of estrogen's risks. Most medications slow down the rate at which bone is reabsorbed (antiresorptive). One new drug can actually help the body make new bone (bone forming).

Estrogens (with or without progesterone) -- boosts bone density and reduces the risk of fracture by slowing bone loss, boosting the body's ability to absorb calcium, and reducing the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. Estrogen by itself can increase a woman's risk for developing cancer in her uterine lining (endometrial cancer), so many doctors have prescribed a combination of estrogen and progesterone. However, evidence now shows that this combination increases a woman's risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Talk with your doctor to get a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of taking estrogen.
Alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel) -- these medications belong to a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. These drugs have been shown to boost bone density, slow or stop bone loss, and reduce the risk of fractures. Side effects are uncommon but may include abdominal pain and heartburn, which can be reduced by taking the medications with 8 oz. of water first thing in the morning before eating anything else, and standing upright for at least 30 minutes after taking them.
Raloxifene (Evista) -- from a class of drugs called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modifiers (SERMS), raloxifene has estrogen-like effects on bone (it prevents bone loss) but does not increase the risk for breast cancer. Side effects can include hot flashes and blood clots. It should not be used before menopause.
Calcitonin (Miacalcin) -- Does not improve bone density as well as the bisphosphonates, but it does slow bone loss, reduce spinal fractures, and ease pain associated with bone fractures. An alternative for women who cannot take estrogen or bisphosphonates.
Parathyroid hormone (Forteo) -- used in low doses, this drug can increase bone production. It can only be taken by injection. It is often prescribed for postmenopausal women and men at risk of fracture. It should not be used in children.

Surgery and Other Procedures

A procedure called kyphoplasty can be used to treat kyphosis, the humplike deformity sometimes caused by osteoporosis. A catheter inserts a balloon into the middle of a collapsed vertebra and then expanded so that height of the vertebra is restored. The surgeon then injects bone cement into the vertebra to hold its shape.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Nutrition and Supplements

Eating fruits and vegetables and consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D are crucial in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Keeping bones healthy throughout life depends on getting enough of specific vitamins and minerals, including phosphorous, magnesium, boron, manganese, copper, zinc, folate, and vitamins B12, B6, C, and K. Avoiding sodium, alcohol, and caffeine will also enhance bone health.

Calcium -- Calcium helps the body build bone. Recommended intakes of calcium are as follows (note that you generally get from 500 - 700 mg of calcium in your diet):

Children: 800 - 1,200 mg/day
Adolescent girls: 1,200 - 1,500 mg/day
Premenopausal women (19 - 50 years old): 1,000 mg/day
Older adults (51 - 70 years old): 1,200 - 1,500 mg/day

(Recommended intake for older women is 1,500 mg/day, except for those on estrogen, who need only 1,000 mg/day.)

Good dietary sources of calcium include:

Low-fat dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese)
Dark green, leafy vegetables (such as broccoli, collard greens, and spinach)
Salmon
Tofu
Almonds

If you do not get enough calcium from food alone, you may want to take a calcium supplement. There are several different kinds available. Ask your doctor which one is right for you:

Calcium citrate (Citrical, Solgar) -- Most easily absorbed; costs more
Calcium carbonate (Tums, Caltrate, Rolaids) -- least expensive; must be taken with meals or a glass of orange (acidic) juice; may cause gas or constipation
Calcium phosphate (Posture) -- Easily absorbed, does not cause stomach upset; more expensive than calcium carbonate

Calcium supplements should be taken in divided doses during the day, because your body can only absorb 500 mg or calcium at a time. Work with your doctor make sure you get enough, but not too much, calcium.

Vitamin D -- In order to absorb enough calcium, your body also needs vitamin D. Recommended intakes of vitamin D are as follows:

Older adults (51 - 70 years old): 400 IU/day; (71 years and older): 600 IU/day

During the winter, or in the case of a bone fracture, 800 IU/day may be required. Doses greater than 1,000 IU can be dangerous.

Vitamin K (150 - 500 mcg) -- Vitamin K, which the body makes in the intestine, helps bind calcium into bone. A recent study suggests that at menopause, vitamin K may start to lose its ability to bind calcium, so that even women with normal levels of vitamin K may not have enough to maintain bone health. Eating three servings of low-fat dairy or dark, leafy greens per day can help. Talk to your doctor about whether you need a supplement, especially if you take blood-thinning medications (diuretics).

Soy isoflavones -- Isoflavones are phytoestrogens, plant chemicals that have some of the same effects as estrogen. Because estrogen helps protect against osteoporosis, researchers theorize that isoflavones may also help stop bone loss. Several studies seem to agree. The best source of soy isoflavones is through your diet (tofu, soy milk, soybeans); when isoflavones are consumed in foods, they don't appear to have the same negative effects that supplemental estrogen does. If you have a history of hormone-related cancer, talk to your doctor before taking soy.

Ipriflavone (600 mg per day) -- Ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone derived from natural isoflavones found in soy, red clover, and other food sources, may also help prevent and treat osteoporosis. Most studies -- though not all -- indicate that ipriflavone, when combined with calcium, can slow bone loss and help prevent fractures of the vertebrae (spine) in postmenopausal women. Talk to your doctor before taking ipriflavone.

Fish oil (4 g per day) -- A few studies have shown that supplements containing essential fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, can help maintain or possibly increase bone mass. Essential fatty acids appear to increase the amount of calcium absorbed your body, diminish the amount of calcium lost in urine, improve bone strength, and enhance bone growth. Foods rich in essential fatty acids (including coldwater fish such as salmon) can help raise the amount of essential fatty acids in your diet. People who are taking blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants) should not take fish oil supplements without talking to their doctor first.

Preliminary studies also suggest that the following nutrients may help prevent or treat osteoporosis:

Zinc -- stimulates bone formation and inhibits bone loss in animals.
Vitamin C -- may limit bone loss in early years of menopause. Studies show mixed results.
Melatonin -- melatonin is involved in bone growth. Since levels of melatonin drop as you age, it's possible that melatonin may contribute to the development of osteoporosis, but further studies are needed. People who take antidepressants or psychiatric medications should not take melatonin without a doctor's supervision.

See the Warnings and Precautions section for a list of supplements that people with osteoporosis should avoid.

Herbs

Although most herbs have not been studied extensively for the treatment of osteoporosis, some have estrogen-like effects that might offer similar protection against osteoporosis. However, they may also carry some of the same risks as supplemental estrogen. Talk to your doctor before taking any of these herbs.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) -- contains phytoestrogens (estrogen-like substances that help protect against bone loss). It os often used to relieve menopausal symptoms, although evidence for its effectiveness is mixed. It does not appear to increase the risk of breast cancer the way supplemental estrogen does.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) -- isoflavones extracted from this herb may slow bone loss in women, but it is not clear whether the whole herb has similar effects. More tests are needed to prove its effectiveness.

Other herbs that may help prevent or treat osteoporosis (evidence is lacking so far) include:

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) -- contains silicon, believed to strengthen bone
Kelp (Fucus vesiculosus L.) -- used for musculoskeletal disorders; rich in minerals so may be an effective complementary treatment for osteoporosis
Oat straw (Avena sativa) -- boosts hormone levels that stimulate cell growth

Special Considerations

Warnings and Precautions

Some studies suggest that too much vitamin A may increase the risk for osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis, or those at risk for it, should not exceed the daily recommended intake of vitamin A (900 mcg/day for men and 700 mcg/day for women).

Certain medications may contribute to the development of osteoporosis when used for long periods of time:

Corticosteroids (steroid hormones)
Thyroid medications
Blood-thinners
Diuretics (water pills)
Antibiotics
Immune system suppressants
Aluminum-containing antacids

Talk to your doctor if you take any of these medications.

Prognosis and Complications

Bone fractures are the most common complications of osteoporosis and are a significant cause of disability and death. After age 60, 25% of women have a spinal fracture -- and that percentage doubles after age 75. By age 90, 33% of women and 17% of men have had a hip fracture, usually from a minor fall or accident. Many elderly people who suffer a hip fracture lose the ability to walk and, most significantly, up to 36% die within one year.

Although an estimated 1.5 million bone fractures in the U.S. each year result from osteoporosis, most of these fractures are preventable. Several medications are currently being researched that may expand the treatment options available to people with osteoporosis. In the meantime, a combination of medications, diet, exercise, and calcium and vitamin D supplements can help slow the progression of the disease.

Supporting Research

Adami S, Bufalino L, Cervetti R, et al. Ipriflavone prevents radial bone loss in postmenopausal women with low bone mass over 2 years. Osteoporosis Int. 1997;7:119-125.

Agnusdei D, Bufalino L. Efficacy of ipriflavone in established osteoporosis and long-term safety. Calcif Tissue Int. 1997;61:S23-S27.

Agnusdei D, Crepaldi G, Isaia G, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ipriflavone for prevention of postmenopausal spinal bone loss. Calcif Tissue Int. 1997;61:142-147.

Alekel DL, St Germain A, Peterson CT, Hanson KB, Stewart JW, Toda T. Isoflavone-rich soy protein isolate attenuates bone loss in the lumbar spine of perimenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;72:844-852.

Alexandersen P, Toussaint A, Christiansen C, et al. Ipriflavone in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. JAMA. 2001;285:1482-1488.

Anderson JJB, Garner SC. Phytoestrogens and bone. Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;12:53-557.

Atkinson C, Compston JE, Robins SP, Bingham SA. The effects of isoflavone phytoestrogens on bone; preliminary results from a large randomised controlled trial. Presented at: 82nd Annual Endocrine Society Meeting; June 23, 2000; Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Baber R, Bligh PC, Fulcher G, Lieberman D, Nery L, Moreton T. The effect of an Isoflavone dietary supplement (P-081) on serum lipids, forearm bone density & endometrial thickness in post menopausal women [abstract]. Menopause. 1999;6:326.

Belkoff SM, Mathis JM, Fenton DC, Scribner RM, Reiley ME, Talmadge K. An ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of an inflatable bone tamp used in the treatment of compression fracture. Spine. 2001;26(2):151-156.

Bhattacharya A, Rahman M, Sun D, Fernandes G. Effect of fish oil on bone mineral density in aging C57BL/6 female mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2006 Sep 7 (Epub ahead of print).

Blanch J, Pros A. Calcium as a treatment of osteoporosis. Drugs Today. 1999;35:631-639.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:201-204.

Brattstrom LE, Hultberg BL, Hardebo JE. Folic acid responsive postmenopausal homocysteinemia. Metabolism. 1985;34(11):1073-1077.

Bunker VW. The role of nutrition in osteoporosis. Br J Biomed Sci. 1994;51(3):228-240.

Byers RJ, Hoyland JA, Braidman IP. Osteoporosis in men: a cellular endocrine perspective of an increasingly common clinical problem. J Endocrinol. 2001;168(3):353-362.

Chen YY, Hsue YT, Chang HH, Gee MJ. The association between postmenopausal osteoporosis and kidney-vacuity syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine. Am J Chin Med. 1999;27(1):25-35.

Consensus Opinion. The role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women: consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2001;8:84-95.

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Review Date:
3/19/2007
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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