Better Bones, Better Body : Beyond Estrogen and Calcium

I bought this book about a year ago after being diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 59. My doctor prescribed Fosamax but I didn't feel I wanted to go that route without trying alternatives, as I'm doing my best to stay healthy and avoid life-long medications for now. I told my doctor I wanted to try lifestyle changes for a year and then revisit my decision after my next bone density scan. I have done my best to follow the suggestions in the book and am pleased to report that after one year, my bone density has increased by 4.7%! While this may not work for everyone who has osteoporosis, making positive changes never hurts. I won't rule out medication entirely, but I don't believe it's the best option for me at this point. I will give it another year and see how it goes.

i have osteoporosis and was on several different medications for 10 years. I am currently on a medication holiday for one year. This book offers information on exercise, nutrition including eating an alkaline diet vs. an acidic diet. It also presents a different way of reviewing results of the dexa scan. While very informative, one has to make their own decision of whether to go on medication. This author seems opposed to medications although the book was written before the many new medications came out.

I need all the encouragement I can get when it comes to exercising and staying active. It is so easy to slow down especially when you're over 65. This book is a good reminder to stay active, as there is a wealth of information presented here that will keep you on your toes! I recommend this book to men and women alike who are health conscience but don't seem to have the Energy to be active and motivated. Developing a balanced slightly alkaline state of 7.0 pH is highly recommended. She will help you achieve this. Since I never took Estrogen replacement therapy I was very much in need of another wake up call. I am so glad I bought this book, it should find a place in everyone's home.9/10/14: A recent update: Because of the health benefits of Vitamin K mentioned in this book, I decided to do further research. I highly recommend reading this book next.  Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life

... for doctors. I've been dealing with bone health for quite some time and I've yet to meet a doctor, even a specialist, who made more than passing references to lifestyle issues. It's "eat-your-dairy-take-your-multivitamin, now let's talk for 15 minutes about prescription medications." If it doesn't come in a tablet or in a needle, it apparently isn't interesting to medical professionals.I've been following the Better Bones recommendations for six months now and it will be another six months before I find out if combining medication with these lifestyle changes is going to make a dramatic difference. But restricting animal fat, alcohol and sugar, upping fruit and vegetable intake and exercising consistently can't be bad no matter what. In a bit of irony, one of the predictors of osteoporosis is low body weight and after six months I'm at my lowest weight in 15 years. It's great being a size two again but I'm going to have to increase my calorie intake. Quite a novelty!!

"Better Bones" did not meet my expectations. While the book was clearly written and informative about the condition, it was published in 2000. Twelve years have made a big difference in what we know today about osteoporosis and its treatment. There was clear information about the role that diet, exercise, and maximization of nutrients can play. Yet there was nothing (!) about the various drug treatments on the market today. While a healthy lifestyle may forestall aging bone issues for many, there are those of us who, through circumstances beyond our control (such as inheritance and childhood illness), have no choice but to add drug treatment to our program of exercise, diet, and supplements. I was disappointed that the book did not address this issue. All in all, a waste of money, I would say. Buy a book that is more current.

Should be required reading for every female from the age of 12 on up. And for every MD of the General Practitioner type. Might help some others as well. I went to this book because my GP wanted me to take Fosamax and after doing some research on that drug and its companion types...no way will I put that poison in my body. Note: I now have a new GP. I am also making some changes as recommended in the book. It will be slower, but healthier. One of the things I like is the way the chapters are organized. Also the fact that Dr. Brown includes references at the end of each chapter. And that she does not appear to be overly judgmental and she recognizes the fact that every body is individual and what works for one does not necessarily work for another. Something the pharmaceutical companies would rather we didn't recognize. My recommendation: Get the book; Read it: Do it.

This booi is very helpful to understand osteoporosis and how to deal with it.

This book was suggested by the lady that did my bone density test. I have not really read that much of the book yet.

Dr Susan E. Brown is a medical anthropologist and certified nutritionist. She got her PhD in 1972 and has focused particularly on osteoporosis for more than 20 years. At the website called Better Bones there is more information about her and about osteoporosis.The message I get from this book is that people of any age and any state of bone health can make really significant progress strengthening their bones without prescription drugs. She gives lots of information about studies that show this.I like her sober, down-to-earth style. She's just constantly giving the reader real information.Her knowledge about world cultures affords special insights about diet, lifestyle and bone health.If she mentions bisphosphonates at all it's very brief and I've forgotten the reference but she does comment on them at the website.Research has moved on since the book was written and while the core and most details of what she is saying remains the same, some of Dr. Brown's recommendations have changed a bit - vitamin D dosage for example. Up-to-date information is on the website but I like having the book as well. I bought it just for reference but ended up reading it all because it is so interesting and easy to read.Added July 2015: I want to flag up Yoga for Osteoporosis by Loren Fishman MD and Ellen Saltonstall, which is a how-to guide for using yoga to build bone mineral density and is backed by objective research. Worth looking into I think.

An extremely readable book on a complex subject.It put the fear of god in me and has spurred me on to take rapid moves to improve my bone status!Could be a life saver!

Inspirational read, Dr Brown gives you hope to increase your bone quality and thus the quality of your life

Informative and full of information to combat this disease.was dsvasted about my diagnosis but now feel confident that it can be halted and even reversed!

Informative book. Useful and comprehensive