Osteoporosis affects as many as 30% of post-menopausal women and about 5% of older men in the United States. More than 1.2 million fractures (primarily of the hip, spine or wrist) occur each year as a direct result of osteoporosis. As recently as the late 19th century, osteoporosis was considered a rare disease. Since that time, the prevalence has increased progressively, even after adjusting for the age of the population. Since our genes have not changed much during the past century, environmental factors are likely responsible for this epidemic of thin bones. I have outlined many of these factors in my book Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima Publishing, 1994), and suggested various non-drug strategies for preventing and treating the disease. Following is a summary of that information, updated according to research published since the book was written.

Environmental pollution

Several heavy metals that contaminate the environment (e.g., aluminum, lead, cadmium, and tin) have been shown in animal studies and in some human research to promote osteoporosis. Of particular concern is aluminum, which has become widely distributed in our environment. Sources of aluminum include beverages stored in aluminum cans, some municipal water supplies (aluminum is added to prevent the accumulation of particulate matter), processed cheeses and other processed foods, food additives (including preservatives, coloring agents, and leavening agents), aluminum cookware, aluminum products used to store or wrap food, underarm deodorants, and antacids. While it is not possible to avoid aluminum completely in our modern environment, exposure to this metal can be greatly reduced by making some basic lifestyle modifications.

The main source of tin exposure is food packaged in tin cans. While some tin leaches into foods and beverages before the can is opened, an even greater amount can leach if the food or beverage is allowed to sit in the container after the can is opened. Tin exposure can be reduced by decreasing the use of tin cans, by not allowing tin cans to be stored at high temperatures, and by transferring the contents of the can to another container after it is opened.