11^th European Nutrition and Dietetics Conference

Biography

Biography: Linda Houtkooper

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by excessively low bone density, bone fragility, and increased risk of fracture with relatively minor trauma. This debilitating disease cannot be cured but can be prevented. The etiology of osteoporosis is complex and multi-factorial. Evidence indicates the incidence of osteoporosis may be increasing even more than would be expected based on the increased number of older persons, suggesting a decrease in bone quality from generation to generation. If not prevented, osteoporosis can progress silently and painlessly until a bone fractures. The already staggering medical, social and economic costs related to osteoporosis can be expected to increase unless effective prophylactic and therapeutic regimens are developed. The combination of adequate nutrient intake from food and supplements, exercise and medications may have added benefits for improving bone mineral density and preventing osteoporosis compared to a single intervention. This presentation will focus on key nutritional and exercise factors for the prevention of osteoporosis.  It will feature the exercise intervention and findings from the Bone Estrogen Strength Training research study (B.E.S.T) which was a United States National Institutes of Health funded clinical trial. This study demonstrated that bone mineral density could be maintained or increased in the short term (1 year) and the long term (4 years) in postmenopausal women with a progressive resistance and weight-bearing exercise program and adequate nutritional intake. This research study indicated that individuals who consistently did the prescribed volume of weight lifted had the greatest effect on increasing bone mineral density. Health-care professionals may implement the B.E.S.T Exercise program by using the step-by-step educational book entitled The BEST Exercise Program for Osteoporosis Prevention.