Weighted Vest to add strength to your bones

[sport]

I has a bone density test last week and was told that I have just passed over from osteopina to osteoporosis in my spine.
I am considering buying a weighted vest so as to add more pressure to my bones while I rebound and walk. Has anyone got one and what do you think of them.

[RawVegRon]

Hi Sport,

I'm leary of doctors. I think they make money by diagnosing expensive problems. Have you had a second opinion?

If you exercise normally with weight-bearing exercises--and don't eat animal products--you should have no problem with osteoporosis, in my opinion. . . of course, I'm not a doctor.

What causes osteoporosis is a diet high in animal proteins and fats. When these foods are metabolized they break down to acetones, ketones, and other acids, which change the ph of your blood. To keep the ph stable, the body takes calcium and other bases out of the bones and organs to bring the acidic level of the blood back to homeostasis.

So a lifetime of eating meat will lead to osteoporosis, as this process is repeated over, and over, with each high protein, animal fat meal.

Just my two cents worth.

Ron

[sport]

I would have said the same thing to you last week but this week I am not so sure.
I have not eaten meat for 35 years and even prior to that I ate very little.
I was eating dairy (though not a lot) up to about 8 years ago but absolutly none since then.
I probably have not been the best at exercise but am determined to improve.
And I am not the best at eating greens over the years but have improved a lot.
I have read some good reports about the weighted vests but am having difficulty getting them here.

[HolyGuacamole]

I have a weighted vest. I wear it when I walk and sometimes just around the house. I like it! I say go for it. It's a relatively small investment, and it can't hurt!

[RawVegRon]

Sport,

Well, my response to what you have said would be to check with another doctor. Sometimes those guys are worse than used car salesmen. They will do and say anything just to make money.

I used to work in a hospital and I've seen them give a guy three glycerin pills when he came into the hospital with angina. Thirty minutes later I heard a "Code Red" announced in the Emergency Room.

I've had dentists shoot X-rays through my head in order to find a "cavity" so small that it could not be seen with the naked eye--then drill away half my tooth and fill it with enough mercury to give me dementia--in order to "cure" my microscopic "cavity."

I've seen doctors diagnose cancer seemingly because they were behind on their car payments.

Are you feeling okay? Have you broken any bones? Why did you go to a doctor in the first place? Maybe you would have better mental, physical, spiritual and financial health if you stayed away from doctors? Are you feeling weak? Why are you so willing to take this doctor's word about the work your body is doing? Your body knows more about how to run your body than your doctor does, in my opinion. . . I'm not a doctor.

To me, it seems like the only problem you have is that some doctor diagnosed incipient osteoporosis!! Big deal!! Stay away from the guy!!

Ron

[HolyGuacamole]

Erm, I have to disagree.

I've had bone scans done and I have very low bone density.
My mother has osteoporosis.
Given this knowledge, I am very careful to do what I can to make sure my bones stay strong.

Increasing your weight bearing exercise has no down side and can only benefit you.

I don't blame you for being concerned and wanting to take care of your skeleton, sport, particularly given the information that's been made available to you. That doesn't mean you have to start popping prescription drugs, it doesn't mean you have to be constantly monitored by a doctor, and it certainly doesn't make you a mindless slave to western "medicine," which I abhor and distrust as much as anyone. It just makes you smart.

I vote yes on the weighted vest. Stay strong, sister. :)

[sport]

I have no intention of going down the conventional medicine route but do intend to be more aware of the fact that there is a weakness that I have to always be aware of and pander to.
I have had sesame seeds every day since the test.
The reason that I did the test was because 2 of my sisters (both younger) had already been diagnosed but I thought that I was untouchable. I thought that my lifestyle for the past 40 years would stand to me and I would be told that my bones were like rocks. I was very cocky and thought that a good result for me would inspire them to make changes.
I guess that this is an genetic weakness but I also know that I have lots of genetic strengths so I still count my blessings.
I was only 5 ft 2 inches to start with. I dread to think what hight I will be on my hundred birthday but I am still sure that I will be healthy.

[RawVegRon]

One other consideration that I have is that these doctor's reports you are reading may be telling you that your bone density is "less than average." That's what doctors do; they use norms and averages to determine "perameters."

Okay! Big deal! Your bone density is "less than average." Well, considering that the "average woman" in the USA weighs 200, 300, 400 lbs., just think of why you might have "below average" bone density! Imagine the bones that a 400-lb. woman needs compared to the bones you need!

I think our bodies know more about what they are doing than the doctors do. Just because your bone density is "less than somebody else's," or maybe it's "less than a doctor thinks it should be," that may not mean there's a problem.

I wouldn't worry about it. I would chalk it up to some doctor dangling a hook out there and waiting for you to bite on it so he can buy a new computer for his new office.

But, you, and your body, know what is best for you.

Ron

[iamacranberry]

Rabbits, who are pretty much inarguably natural vegans, have hollow bones.

[sport]

Rabbits, who are pretty much inarguably natural vegans, have hollow bones.

I bet that elephants do not. They have no need for weighted vests. Sadly weaker bones are the negative side of low weight.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I think for right now we don't know the full story behind weakened bones. I have a weighted vest which is changeable up to 20 lbs, and I wear it on the treadmill to make things harder. I love it and it's an easy way to up your workout :)

[iamacranberry]

I bet that elephants do not. They have no need for weighted vests. Sadly weaker bones are the negative side of low weight.

Elephants aren't naturally meant to jump and run around quickly. They're also naturally much heavier. Ever seen an obese rabbit?

[RawVegRon]

Aren't you afraid of the additional wear and tear on your joints and discs when you wear a weighted vest?

Ron

[iamacranberry]

I doubt the vest is weighted sufficiently enough to cause damage to the joints. After all, people can do weight lifting safely and not tear up their joints.

[RawVegRon]

When I was in high school, I put weights on my ankles to play basketball, hoping to make my leg muscles stronger. I found out that the weights would harm the tendons in my knees over time.

Just a suggestion.

Ron