Reversal of Bone Mineral Density Loss Through Lifestyle Changes: A Case Report

Approximately 10 million individuals in the United States have osteoporosis and 44 million have low bone mineral density which puts them at risk for bone breaks. This presents a large burden on our health care system since about one-quarter of hip fracture patients never regain full function, need nursing care, and, for those over age 50, 24% die within one year. Oral bisphosphonates are often used as first-line therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis; however, patients frequently experience significant side effects. In addition, bisphosphonates inhibit bone loss by initiating apoptosis in osteoclasts that remove old bone, thus allowing old bone to accumulate and slowing the activity of osteoblasts that create new bone, thereby affecting bone quality. As an alternative, a bone-friendly lifestyle, including calcium and vitamin D consumption, exercise, smoking cessation, and a decrease in alcohol intake, may reduce bone loss. This case report describes lifestyle changes that included diet and exercise that increased bone mineral density in two years in a post-menopausal woman with no negative side effects.