Strong Women, Strong Bones: Everything You Need to Know to Prevent, Treat, and Beat Osteoporosis

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Summary: A Wonderful, Holistic Approach to Bone Health
Review: This book is a wonderfully written reference by Nelson, who is a nutritionist with Tufts University, and who comprehensively approaches the topic of osteoporosis. Covering the approach of prevention, supplementation, medication options, and exercise, Nelson approaches this topic with humor and in a very easy-to-read style. Lots of easy reference tables and well-illustrated exercise plans make this an accessible reference for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Strong Women Strong Bones
Review: This book was recomended to me by a naturopath. It was easy enough to read in just one evening. The sections about how bones grow and what your risk factors are for getting osteoporosis were quite good. There is also good advice about what vitamins and minerals in addition to calcium to include in your diet, as well as the importance of vitamin D and sunshine, for calcium absorbtion. However, the food section is confusing. Nelson does not mention sea vegetables as the best food source of calcium and minerals to include in a healthy diet. And since she has the opinion that a person can get all the calcium they need from food sources, she should have included a more accurate calcium food chart in her book. For example, spinach, which tops the vegetable calcium secton, contains a lot of oxalic acid which interfers with calcium absorbtion. Nelson mentions the oxalic acid problem with some foods, but never mentions exactly which foods contain the highest amounts. Instead she says we should eat these foods for other reasons. So, why is spinach at the top of the calcium chart? Let's have a more accurate chart before telling people they can just add up what they are taking in with the chart she provides. Also, in her section on exercises she encourages women over 50 to jump vertically to retain calcium. A woman should gradually build up to 2 full minutes of jumping. What if a persons knees are not in alignment? Jumping is one of the most jarring and hardest things a person can do to their knee joints, especially if they are heavy on their feet. A woman who is over 50 and not used to exercising could easily get injured with this jumping program. I am over 50, and I already exercise 5 or 6 days a week, doing aerobics, running and weight training. I tried jumping vertically at a fitness center in front of a mirror to make sure I did it correctly. Then I went on to do a leg press, which I do on a regular basis, and my left knee hurt. My personal trainer said running would be much better for me than jumping. I do not have joint problems, yet, but I could after Neilson's exercise program. Also, the medication section encourages every woman to consider hormone replacement therapy. Does we all really need this therapy? I am discouraged that this book was rated so highly and recomended. It was mostly a waste of money. Only the first couple sections in the book were really worth reading. Check it out at the library or buy it used if you must.

Rating:
Summary: Strong Woman, Strong Bones
Review: This book was recommended by my 2 daughters who both have osteoporosis and are in their 30s. It covers everything and is easy to read and understand. Truly a handbook for anyone who has osteoporosis.

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Summary: Strong Women, Strong Bones
Review: This is the third book I've read from Dr. Miriam Nelson and she gets better with each book! As someone who has spent the last 13 years in the fitness industry, I can without hesitation recommend this book to all my clients and to those who are thinking of buying it. She has a special gift of getting her scientific, research based information across to all who love to read. Don't pass up the chance to enjoy and learn.

Rating:
Summary: Strong Women, Strong Bones
Review: This is the third book I've read from Dr. Miriam Nelson and she gets better with each book! As someone who has spent the last 13 years in the fitness industry, I can without hesitation recommend this book to all my clients and to those who are thinking of buying it. She has a special gift of getting her scientific, research based information across to all who love to read. Don't pass up the chance to enjoy and learn.

Rating:
Summary: Just do it - Must do it.
Review: Weight bearing exercise, diet, calcium, omega-3, Co-Q10, ALA, Black Cohosh--Women have received scant directions from their doctors in the past and the high rate of heart disease and weak bones have taken their toll. Now we have Ms. Nelson giving us the straight talk on how essential it is that we do "good" exercise, not just a few stretches as we clean the house, that we eat more dark leafy greens, not just iceberg dominated salads, that we supplement with specific nutrients that will build and/or maintain strong bones, hearts, hormones. Double check her research at a site called iHerb. You will see that doctors and researchers in the know are now advocating that women and their doctors take a more pro-active role in keeping them healthy. iHerb has additional links and products that will dovetail Nelson's research.