By Dr. Leslie Van Romer

Did you know that: - 1 in 4 postmenopausal U.S. women has osteoporosis? Are you silently losing your bones?

- Americans eat more cow’s milk and its products than most countries in the world, yet American women 50 and older have one of highest rates of hip fractures in the world, says T. Colin Campbell? What? How is that possible?

- hip fracture is fatal in 12-20% of cases and leads to long-term nursing home care in 50% of people who survive? Scary. A nursing home for life, or worse.

- if you walk just 4 hours a week, risk of hip fracture is reduced by 40%? Hey, that’s not much at all!

- countries which consume the most whole plant foods and the least meat and animal foods and dairy products have almost no bone fractures caused by osteoporosis? Amazing, huh?

- we can get plenty of calcium by eating plant foods, just like large-boned, plant-eating mammals, such as cows, horses, giraffes, and elephants? Where do milking cows get their calcium? - osteoporosis in the U.S. is typically caused by what we eat that dissolves our bones, not by lack of calcium in our diets?

- the calcium bone robbers are: 1. coffee (yes, even one cup a day) 2. soft drinks 3. white sugar 4. salt 5. alcohol 6. smoking 7. certain drugs, like antacids (Tums), steroids, diuretics

- animal protein is the biggest calcium robber of them all? Yes, you got it – that means the beef, poultry, pork, lamb, even fish, eggs, and dairy products you have eaten all of your life could be dissolving your bones (I know, it’s hard to believe, but the evidence is compelling in “The China Study” by T. Colin Campbell).

- prescribed drugs for osteoporosis build bones by only 1% to 7%?

- the common osteoporosis drug, Fosamax, is reported to have the serious side effect of deterioration of the jaw bone? Oh, no, not my talking and chewing bone.

- if you are sedentary for one year you will lose 40% of your bone density? Yikes!

- you can strengthen your bones with diet and exercise even if you have osteoporosis and osteopenia – at almost any age? Wow! It’s never too late.

Isn’t it about time to take care of your bones? Load up on whole, unrefined plant foods that have plenty of calcium (where do milking cows get their calcium for their bones, teeth, and extra milk?), avoid those bad calcium thieves (animal protein is the biggest, baddest guy of all), and exercise every day to build up your bones just like your muscles.

Your bones and your body will thank you.

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at Http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.