Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures, which can lead to other health problems. Whether or not chronic HIV infection leads to loss of bone tissue, osteoporosis is still a must-have discussion. Researchers have suggested that osteoporosis is more common in HIV infection, but there can be other risk factors at play. Your doctor can order a bone density test to determine where you are now compared to where you should be with healthy bones. Luckily, you can do something about many of the risk factors right now. Here are some risk factors that you can address: (1) having poor eating habits, including not getting adequate calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients that support bones; (2) losing too much weight or having low weight for your height; (3) not engaging in weight-bearing physical activity; (4) smoking; and (5) drinking excessively or alcoholism. To begin, check with your dietitian about your eating habits and whether you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients to maintain bone tissue. To get the most out of your diet for the nutrients you need, emphasize fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. If your weight is low or you recently lost weight pretty rapidly, you will want to get back to a good weight and stay there--rock steady if it is possible. To make sure that bone tissue is stimulated to maintain its density, you will also need exercise, particularly of the weight-bearing type. However, before you make big plans for this, it will be helpful to know if your bone density is good enough to handle it. Keep in mind that if you smoke, it is a very big risk factor for osteoporosis and a lot of other ailments. Quitting smoking may be the most important thing you do for your bones and your overall well-being. Finally, if you drink excessively, it is not just your liver that pays. Your bones suffer too. Add this to your list of top priorities to work on sooner rather than later. Osteoporosis is often referred to as a silent disorder. Most people don't know it is a problem until they experience a bone fracture. To estimate your risk for osteoporosis, you can take the osteoporosis risk-factor quiz at https://arthritis.about.com/library/quiz/blquizosteoporosisriskfactors.htm. Fields-Gardner is the director of services for the HIV nutrition company Cutting Edge and is a member of the International AIDS Society and the American Dietetic Association's Dietetic Practice Group on HIV and AIDS. She is the author of Living Well With HIV and AIDS: A Guide to Nutrition and a coauthor of HIV Medications: Food Interactions and A Clinician's Guide to Nutrition in HIV and AIDS.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Why activist Raif Derrazi thinks his HIV diagnosis is a gift
September 17 2024 12:00 PM
How fitness coach Tyriek Taylor reclaims his power from HIV with self-commitment
September 19 2024 12:00 PM
Exclusive: We kiki with Q from 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
June 24 2024 11:37 AM
Out100 Honoree Tony Valenzuela thanks queer and trans communities for support in his HIV journey
September 18 2024 12:00 PM
The freedom of disclosure: David Anzuelo's journey through HIV, art, and advocacy
August 02 2024 12:21 PM
Activist and philanthropist Bruce Bastian dies at 76
June 26 2024 1:28 PM
Creator and host Karl Schmid fights HIV stigma with knowledge
September 12 2024 12:03 PM
In honor of Juneteenth 2024, meet The Normal Anomaly
June 19 2024 1:39 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM
Post-election blues? Some advice from mental health experts
November 08 2024 12:36 PM
Check out our 2024 year-end issue!
October 28 2024 2:08 PM
Meet our Health Hero of the Year, Armonté Butler
October 21 2024 12:53 PM
AIDS/LifeCycle is ending after more than 30 years
October 17 2024 12:40 PM
Twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, an HIV-prevention drug, reduces risk by 96%
October 15 2024 5:03 PM
Kentucky bans conversion therapy for youth as Gov. Andy Beshear signs 'monumental' order
September 18 2024 11:13 AM
Study finds use of puberty blockers safe and reversible, countering anti-trans accusations
September 11 2024 1:11 PM
Latinx health tips / Consejos de salud para latinos (in English & en espanol)
September 10 2024 4:29 PM
The Trevor Project receives $5M grant to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health in rural Midwest (exclusive)
September 03 2024 9:30 AM
Introducing 'Health PLUS Wellness': The Latinx Issue!
August 30 2024 3:06 PM
La ciencia detrás de U=U ha estado liberando a las personas con VIH durante años
August 23 2024 2:48 PM
Tratamiento y prevención del VIH por inyección: Todo lo que necesita saber
August 23 2024 2:41 PM
Sr. Gay World quiere asegurarse de que estés bien
August 23 2024 2:30 PM
Eureka is taking a break from competing on 'Drag Race' following 'CVTW' elimination
August 20 2024 12:21 PM
With a new case in Sweden, what is the new mpox outbreak and should you be concerned?
August 15 2024 4:48 PM
From ‘The Real World’ to real life: How Danny Roberts thrives with HIV
July 31 2024 5:23 PM