Researchers show the 'BEST' way to reduce osteopo...( now is proven to be beneficial and rep...)

BEST Study participants were coached in specific exercises aimed at building bone in key fracture points of the wrist, hip and spine. Mission Pharmacal Company supplied Citracal calcium citrate for the study. Women were encouraged to take two Citracal tablets twice a day, morning and evening, to ensure at least 800 mg of calcium. The balance of the remaining recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 1,000 mg per day was to be supplied by their food intake. The women who regularly took the recommended level of 800 mg of calcium supplement daily and continued to consume calcium in their meals showed greater improvement than those who consumed less than the RDA, and women who kept up the with the exercises showed greater improvement than less frequent exercisers. In addition, the study reinforced evidence that long-term, consistent calcium intake and exercise are valuable, as they provided significant improvement in BMD. The UA investigators developed the BEST regimen, which they found effective in building bone in typically vulnerable areas. The regimen includes six core exercises:

• Leg Press
• One-arm Military Press
• Seated Row
• Wall Squat and Smith Squat
• Back Extension
• Lat Pull Down

Study participants did two sets of six-to-eight repetitions, three times a week. Sevento-ten minutes of cardiovascular weight-bearing activity, such as stair climbing, treadmill walking with a weighted vest and postural stretches, round out the study regimen. Participants lifted increasingly heavier weights, with the amount of weight lifted in correct form emphasized over number of repetitions.

Building BMD is important in preventing osteoporosis, which often resu
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Contact: Heather Gianetti
212-468-3867
Manning Selvage & Lee
1-Feb-2006