“Other studies have pointed to this [link], but our study confirms it,” says David Goltzman, MD, one of the study’s authors. Goltzman is director of the Centre for Bone and Periodontal Research at McGill University in Montreal.

Serotonin has been shown to have an effect on bone density, which is why inhibiting its reuptake creates a higher likelihood of bone fractures.

The antidepressants may boost risk of fracture, Goltzman says, because of their effect on bone physiology. Serotonin recently has been found to be important in bone physiology.

One animal study, for instance, found that “if you alter the ability of the bone to use serotonin, you will get a reduction in bone density,” Goltzman says.

If you’re taking an SSRI at any age, talk to your doctor about how you can maintain healthy bone density. And in the meantime, this is a good reason to consider calcium supplementation.

Here’s some more info on what every woman should know about calcium.

It’s all about prevention!

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Over 50 and Taking Antidepressants? Read This!

“The value of our method is that dentists take millions of these X-rays every year for ordinary dental reasons and they contain useful information that isn’t being used,” [one of the programmers] says.

“People may be apparently healthy and never visit their family doctor, but often regularly go to their dentist for checkups.”

The software isn’t yet available to dentists, but it’s in the works. Next time you get your teeth cleaned (and you do go to the dentist regularly, right?), ask your dentist or dental hygienist about it.

And in the meantime, continue taking your calcium supplements daily.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Get Your Teeth Cleaned and Screen for Osteoporosis at the Same Time

According to the National Institutes of Health Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet,

Because bone loss, like bone growth, is a gradual process, the stronger your bones are at age 30, the more your bone loss will be delayed as you age. Therefore, it is particularly important to consume adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence. It is also important to engage in weight-bearing exercise to maximize bone strength and bone density (amount of bone tissue in a certain volume of bone) to help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

So why is this on my mind?

Because this week I thought I broke a rib. No, I wasn’t in a car accident. Nor did I have a fall. I twisted funny in the car the other day and have been in excruciating pain ever since. In that moment, all the times I turned down milk in favor of iced tea came rushing back to me.

Fortunately, it turns out that my rib is merely bruised and surrounded by strained muscles, which is a good thing, but the thought that I could have actually broken my own rib at the age of 24 was and continues to be seriously disturbing. Guess who can’t stop drinking milk all of a sudden!

Have you ever had a minor health scare that could have meant something bigger?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Time to Consider Calcium Supplementation