Osteoporosis: Bone Health with Claire Gill, CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9p4ngz/Osteofinal_-_1_31_21_937_PM8xhwx.mp3

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Osteoporosis is a condition involving the loss of bone mass and density, and while millions of people are affected by it, many don’t know a lot information about it. Bone tests and bone health are vital, but their importance is not emphasized enough in society. In hopes of changing the narrative, we interviewed Claire Gill, the CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. We figured the best place to start was the beginning, so we asked Claire about bone mass and how it changes as we age. She told us that we reach our strongest bone density at age twenty-five, and after that, it is about maintaining that bone density throughout our lives. Women also experience loss of bone mass during menopause, for the drop in estrogen levels causes us to lose bone. We then asked how to upkeep and create healthy bones, and Claire emphasized the importance of proper exercise. For bone health, weight-bearing exercises, muscle-strengthening exercises, and impact exercises are the best. She recommended walking, dancing, Pilates, and hiking.

She also spoke about diet and how calcium and vitamin D are essential to maintaining proper bone health. We can get a majority of our calcium through food, and the rest can be obtained through supplements. For vitamin D, however, many people have to turn to supplements in order to ingest the right amount. Next, Claire told us that the recommended age for receiving a bone scan tends to vary amongst doctors, but the average age is about sixty-five. However, if a person has other health conditions, has family history, or breaks a bone in their fifties, bone scans may be recommended to them earlier. Once you receive the diagnosis of Osteoporosis, Claire again emphasized the importance of dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes in order to keep your bones as healthy as possible. Some patients also require medication, and the medications we now have to treat Osteoporosis are, according to Claire, up to 70% effective in protecting bones.

Claire then spoke about other diseases and conditions that can influence osteoporosis, and she mentioned celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, malnutrition, conditions that require large amounts of steroid treatment, women who have had breast cancer, and diabetes. For people who have low bone mass but have not been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, Claire said that you can avoid developing Osteoporosis by maintaining bone health. Claire spoke about a part of her website called “Peer Questions”, where people who are dealing with Osteoporosis can share their stories and read about others’ experiences. Claire also emphasized that it was important to note that every person is different, and that not all advice is wanted or applicable to everyone. We asked Claire why bone scans are put off until your 60s, and she told us that it is due to many factors, one of which being reimbursement rates dropping and doctors being unable to keep equipment in their offices as a result. Claire then told us different treatments for Osteoporosis, and treatment is on an individual basis, some of the treatments include medications to slow down bone mass loss, medications to help rebuild bone, oral medications, and injections. We then mentioned how Claire, along with being the CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, is the founder of the National Menopause Foundation. She founded it to give women a place to find information surrounding menopause, and along with the foundation has a podcast and a newsletter.

Claire Gill

www.nof.org

Claire Gill is the CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Many people do not know a lot about Osteoporosis, and through her years of research, Claire has helped the National Osteoporosis Foundation provide vital information about Osteoporosis, treatment options, and a place for men and women to share their personal stories and educate others. Claire is also the founder of the National Menopause Foundation, which helps to educate the public on menopause and how it affects midlife women. Through the National Menopause Foundation, Claire created a space for women to feel safe asking questions while providing answers and vital menopause information that society should know.