Is Exercise Useless Against Osteoporosis?

In earlier articles at LifeTwo, we've said that "exercise has also been shown to slow or reverse low bone density" and cited a book which claims that "Weight training ... helps guard against osteoporosis."

That information may be wrong. The Washington Post today cites several experts who say that exercise has little, or anything, to do with bone loss in middle age and later.

Drugs are the way to strengthen bone, they say.

Diet can prevent bone loss from becoming worse than it should be. And exercise does have a role -- it can prevent fracture-causing falls, stronger muscles may make a broken bone less likely, and it may make a contribution to "bone quality."

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Bones begin to weaken in the mid-30s as your body begins to break down old bone faster than it makes replacement bone. The risk of osteoporosis -- brittle bones -- is a function of how much bone mass you had at your peak, and how quickly you're losing it. Sufficient vitamin D and calcium prior to age 35 or so will create a higher peak bone mass, and after age 35 will slow the weakening process.

According to the Mayo Clinic, you get vitamin D from sunlight, oily fish, or egg yolks, and calcium from "dairy products ... almonds, broccoli, cooked kale, canned salmon with the bones, oats and soy products such as tofu." You can buy witamin D and calcium supplements as well.