Todd500
03-23-2008, 03:39 PM
For those of you that attempt to limit the amount of caffeine you take in daily, what is your limit? I'm a coffee drinker any question what impact (if any) consuming 3-4 cups daily might have on bone health.
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jrose1358
03-24-2008, 08:20 AM
I think there is a lot of debate about caffeine and how much is safe to consume when you have osteo. I, too, was a big coffee drinker and decided to limit the amount that I drink. I started slowly cutting back and am now down to one grande 1/2 caf (1/2 caffeine, 1/2 regular). I usually get my coffe from Starbucks in the morning. jrose
phylwill1152
03-24-2008, 09:11 AM
HI Todd...i beleive in everything in moderation. If you have a couple of cups of coffee each morning i really dont think its going to do much harm. I usually have a couple in the morning and then switch to decaf coffee or tea. i've read that if you add a splash of milk to your coffee it neutralizes the acidity, which is what affects calcium. You can only follow so many of the dos and don'ts that come down the info highway..pick the ones you can live with easily and adjust the rest to fit your life. Doing all you can to help your bones is one thing...making yourself crazy to do it all is another......BTW..did you decide if stronium is right for you? take care...phyllis
Todd500
03-24-2008, 11:43 AM
HI Todd...i beleive in everything in moderation. If you have a couple of cups of coffee each morning i really dont think its going to do much harm. I usually have a couple in the morning and then switch to decaf coffee or tea. i've read that if you add a splash of milk to your coffee it neutralizes the acidity, which is what affects calcium. You can only follow so many of the dos and don'ts that come down the info highway..pick the ones you can live with easily and adjust the rest to fit your life. Doing all you can to help your bones is one thing...making yourself crazy to do it all is another......BTW..did you decide if stronium is right for you? take care...phyllis
Hi Phyllis. The first endo I went to was pushing Fosamax from the get go. After going back and forth with this doc I simply decided I didn't feel comfortable with him. Started with a second doc and her opinion was completely different. She was aware of the studies done on strontium, felt all my blood work was within normal ranges, and said yes to strontium with a DEXA follow up in another year.
Hi Phyllis. The first endo I went to was pushing Fosamax from the get go. After going back and forth with this doc I simply decided I didn't feel comfortable with him. Started with a second doc and her opinion was completely different. She was aware of the studies done on strontium, felt all my blood work was within normal ranges, and said yes to strontium with a DEXA follow up in another year.
phylwill1152
03-24-2008, 02:24 PM
Hi Todd...that's great :bouncing::bouncing::bouncing: that you found a dr. that is not only familiar with strontium, but willing to use it for her patients with osteo. Better hang onto her, she sounds like a keeper. I think that with time more dr. will look into it, since new info about the current drugs is showing its not the magic bullet they thought they would be.
Did you ask her is she had the adjustment figures needed to get an accurate reading from the DEXA? The only thing i did before my last DEXA was to stop strontium for 30 days prior to having it.. Since strontium doesn't stay in the body, maybe by stopping i did get a somewaht accurate reading, but i have no way of knowing since no adjustments were made. It did show improvements so i know it was working. take care...phyllis
Did you ask her is she had the adjustment figures needed to get an accurate reading from the DEXA? The only thing i did before my last DEXA was to stop strontium for 30 days prior to having it.. Since strontium doesn't stay in the body, maybe by stopping i did get a somewaht accurate reading, but i have no way of knowing since no adjustments were made. It did show improvements so i know it was working. take care...phyllis
peppurr
03-24-2008, 03:19 PM
For those of you that attempt to limit the amount of caffeine you take in daily, what is your limit? I'm a coffee drinker any question what impact (if any) consuming 3-4 cups daily might have on bone health.
I switched to decaf. I usually buy it ground at Starbucks but I recently discovered jarred Nescafe decaf in Mexico and quite like it so I bought some of that here. There is a small problem with buying Starbucks & others decaf though - they grind the beans in the same grinder as the regular coffee. As I understand it, however, the caffeine you get is a trace.
I have 2 cups a day in the morning. I've also pretty much eliminated chocolate and so why did my dh buy me chocolates for Easter???:dizzy:
I switched to decaf. I usually buy it ground at Starbucks but I recently discovered jarred Nescafe decaf in Mexico and quite like it so I bought some of that here. There is a small problem with buying Starbucks & others decaf though - they grind the beans in the same grinder as the regular coffee. As I understand it, however, the caffeine you get is a trace.
I have 2 cups a day in the morning. I've also pretty much eliminated chocolate and so why did my dh buy me chocolates for Easter???:dizzy:
yellowdaisy
05-24-2008, 12:21 AM
I've cut back too. I used to drink about 5 cups caffeinated coffee a day. Now I drink one 6-oz caffeinated coffee per day, and the rest decaf. I don't know if it will help.
indersonu
05-24-2008, 02:42 AM
I don't drink coffee, but I drink chai, indian tea, half water, half milk.:D
Canna
05-24-2008, 08:32 AM
I don't drink coffee but I am a tea lover but have switched to decaff tea as well... as Phyllis said everything in moderation and every little tidbit helps us... I am so delighted I found this board!!!
Aleta145
05-26-2008, 03:19 PM
We've switched to Folgers 1/2-caff at my house, and when we go to Starbucks we don't order coffee. I get a latte, and DH likes the chai tea latte. I have read that when you add milk to coffee it cancels out the negative effect of the caffeine, but I don't know how accurate that is. For what it's worth, here are the caffeine amounts of a few Starbucks beverages, based on Grande sizes*:
Brewed coffee: 320mg
Latte, cappucino, caramel macchiato, white chocolate mocha: 150mg
Regular Frappuccino: 110-130mg, depending on flavor
Chai tea latte: 100mg
Frappuccino light blended coffees: 95mg
Green tea latte: 80mg
Hot chocolate: 25mg
*Source: "Nutrition by the Cup" brochure I got at Starbucks the other day.
Brewed coffee: 320mg
Latte, cappucino, caramel macchiato, white chocolate mocha: 150mg
Regular Frappuccino: 110-130mg, depending on flavor
Chai tea latte: 100mg
Frappuccino light blended coffees: 95mg
Green tea latte: 80mg
Hot chocolate: 25mg
*Source: "Nutrition by the Cup" brochure I got at Starbucks the other day.
phylwill1152
05-26-2008, 09:05 PM
Hello everyone..this is part of an article from the Colorado State University Extension Office, Nov.2003. take care...phyllis
The effects of caffeine on hydration and bone loss...
Another common concern related to caffeine consumption is its potential effect on bone health. Because caffeine increases urine production, calcium, which is a component of the fluid, is lost. Calcium plays a critical role in maintaining bone density and in preventing the development of osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones weaken and become susceptible to fractures. There is some evidence showing that caffeine, and specifically intake of caffeinated beverages, increases the amount of calcium lost in urine.
This effect, however, has mainly been observed in postmenopausal women who consumed high amounts of caffeine over time. Most findings suggest that moderate intake is not associated with accelerated bone loss, and that adequate dietary calcium intake can counteract the negative effects of high caffeine consumption. The biggest contributor to osteoporosis is not getting enough calcium in the diet. Adding low-fat milk to your coffee or tea will offset any loss of calcium associated with drinking the coffee or tea. Choosing milk and milk-based beverages over caffeinated sodas also will help.
Here are a few other tips found in the article...
***Limit caffeine intake to 300 milligrams or less per day.
***Eat a diet rich in calcium - aim for 1,200 milligrams per day - from sources such as low fat dairy foods, dark green leafy vegetables, dry beans, tofu made with calcium and canned fish with edible bones.
***Add low-fat milk to regular coffee drinks or mix decaffeinated coffee with regular coffee.
***Replace some caffeinated drinks with water throughout the day.
The effects of caffeine on hydration and bone loss...
Another common concern related to caffeine consumption is its potential effect on bone health. Because caffeine increases urine production, calcium, which is a component of the fluid, is lost. Calcium plays a critical role in maintaining bone density and in preventing the development of osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones weaken and become susceptible to fractures. There is some evidence showing that caffeine, and specifically intake of caffeinated beverages, increases the amount of calcium lost in urine.
This effect, however, has mainly been observed in postmenopausal women who consumed high amounts of caffeine over time. Most findings suggest that moderate intake is not associated with accelerated bone loss, and that adequate dietary calcium intake can counteract the negative effects of high caffeine consumption. The biggest contributor to osteoporosis is not getting enough calcium in the diet. Adding low-fat milk to your coffee or tea will offset any loss of calcium associated with drinking the coffee or tea. Choosing milk and milk-based beverages over caffeinated sodas also will help.
Here are a few other tips found in the article...
***Limit caffeine intake to 300 milligrams or less per day.
***Eat a diet rich in calcium - aim for 1,200 milligrams per day - from sources such as low fat dairy foods, dark green leafy vegetables, dry beans, tofu made with calcium and canned fish with edible bones.
***Add low-fat milk to regular coffee drinks or mix decaffeinated coffee with regular coffee.
***Replace some caffeinated drinks with water throughout the day.
taape
05-27-2008, 01:07 AM
phylwill1152,
I don't drink coffee but I drink alot of water. Water also makes you urinate alot, do you think I'm loosing alot of calcium because of drinking alot of water?
I don't drink coffee but I drink alot of water. Water also makes you urinate alot, do you think I'm loosing alot of calcium because of drinking alot of water?
phylwill1152
05-27-2008, 07:37 AM
Hi taape...thats a good question. I have no idea if water would do the same thing. Since water is the main ingredient in coffee and other beverages i guess it could be possible. Too much water can effect sodium levels, but haven't heard about calcium or other things. We'll have to look that one up. take care...phyllils
Aleta145
05-27-2008, 01:43 PM
Caffeine is a mild diuretic, so coffee makes you pee more often than plain water. Same with tea and sodas (that aren't decaff). However, some studies say that it doesn't actually increase the amount you pee, just the frequency, when urine amounts are compared over a 24-hour period.
Keep in mind that there are also many benefits to drinking coffee: Studies show that it lowers your risk of developing diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and colon cancer. There's even evidence suggesting that it prevents Alzheimer's. DH and I are more afraid of those conditions than we are of aggravating our osteoporosis. So I guess we're going to keep waking up to the smell of coffee at our house.
Keep in mind that there are also many benefits to drinking coffee: Studies show that it lowers your risk of developing diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and colon cancer. There's even evidence suggesting that it prevents Alzheimer's. DH and I are more afraid of those conditions than we are of aggravating our osteoporosis. So I guess we're going to keep waking up to the smell of coffee at our house.
peppurr
05-28-2008, 06:15 PM
Thank you phylwil and aleta for your informed posts. Very interesting.
I actually decided last week that I'm going to have a diet pop once a week. What I read about pop, though, is that it's the phosphorous which makes for the carbonation that is detrimental to losing calcium.
I think we should all just go ahead and have anything we want IN MODERATION.
I haven't had a regular cup of coffee now for about 2 yrs - been drinking decaf which I'm now enjoying. After reading this though I'm not going to deprive myself from the odd sit down at Starbucks with a regular latte!:)
I actually decided last week that I'm going to have a diet pop once a week. What I read about pop, though, is that it's the phosphorous which makes for the carbonation that is detrimental to losing calcium.
I think we should all just go ahead and have anything we want IN MODERATION.
I haven't had a regular cup of coffee now for about 2 yrs - been drinking decaf which I'm now enjoying. After reading this though I'm not going to deprive myself from the odd sit down at Starbucks with a regular latte!:)
snowmelts
06-18-2008, 10:06 PM
Oh my. I had not heard coffee was bad for bones.
I did see on TV this week that a couple cups a day is actually very good for something, I forget what, but I think they said the heart.
Anyway I consume coffee all day from morning till night.
I do use lots of real milk and some sugar in it.
I don't drink tea or caffinated soda pop though.
True, I have to hit a restroom every couple hours.
I do have OA in multiple areas (spine, knees, feet) and osteoporosis in my lower spine.
I'm 61.
My mother is 80 and does not drink any coffee, tea, or even soda pop at all. NONE
She has avoided caffine since she was hospitalized for a week in 1965 and got the caffine withdraw headache. She never wanted that headache again so she has avoided caffine for the last 43 years.
Now by age 80 her skeleton has been completely destroyed over the last 30 years with osteoporosis and arthritis. I mean destroyed. She has The full bending, lung squishing "S" curve of the spine, the hump at shoulders of the back, broken ribs, broken leg, replaced knees, disentagrated ankles, fractured vertabreas and had the horribly disfigured feet and toes.
Her bladder is shot completely.
She has a monster amount of medical problems, including PAD and amputations, and yet her blood pressure is fine, her cholestrol is fine and she is not diabetic.
Caffine had nothing to do with it for her.
She loves milk and ice cream so has consumed lots of natural calcium over those years.
For decades she gobbled calcium and D and well as all the other great suppliments she read about. Perhaps all that helped as she aged and delayed some of her problems a little bit?
YET she has NOT had any caffine drinks in all those years and has been very health concious in her eating habbits for many decades. Watched the salt, sugar, calories and fat content of all the stuff she ate. (she did eat and enjoy dark chocolate after they said the dark chocolate had good properties)
It's really hard to decide what is right to consume and what's not.
I think moderation in all things is probably the better guideline.
I should drink less coffee for sure but I doubt I'd ever give it up.
I did see on TV this week that a couple cups a day is actually very good for something, I forget what, but I think they said the heart.
Anyway I consume coffee all day from morning till night.
I do use lots of real milk and some sugar in it.
I don't drink tea or caffinated soda pop though.
True, I have to hit a restroom every couple hours.
I do have OA in multiple areas (spine, knees, feet) and osteoporosis in my lower spine.
I'm 61.
My mother is 80 and does not drink any coffee, tea, or even soda pop at all. NONE
She has avoided caffine since she was hospitalized for a week in 1965 and got the caffine withdraw headache. She never wanted that headache again so she has avoided caffine for the last 43 years.
Now by age 80 her skeleton has been completely destroyed over the last 30 years with osteoporosis and arthritis. I mean destroyed. She has The full bending, lung squishing "S" curve of the spine, the hump at shoulders of the back, broken ribs, broken leg, replaced knees, disentagrated ankles, fractured vertabreas and had the horribly disfigured feet and toes.
Her bladder is shot completely.
She has a monster amount of medical problems, including PAD and amputations, and yet her blood pressure is fine, her cholestrol is fine and she is not diabetic.
Caffine had nothing to do with it for her.
She loves milk and ice cream so has consumed lots of natural calcium over those years.
For decades she gobbled calcium and D and well as all the other great suppliments she read about. Perhaps all that helped as she aged and delayed some of her problems a little bit?
YET she has NOT had any caffine drinks in all those years and has been very health concious in her eating habbits for many decades. Watched the salt, sugar, calories and fat content of all the stuff she ate. (she did eat and enjoy dark chocolate after they said the dark chocolate had good properties)
It's really hard to decide what is right to consume and what's not.
I think moderation in all things is probably the better guideline.
I should drink less coffee for sure but I doubt I'd ever give it up.
osteoblast
06-22-2008, 02:28 AM
Snowmelts-My heart goes out to your mom! What a lot of hardship she is living through. I hope she somehow manages to take joy in her existence.
As her daughter , do you have any thoughts why she was so hit hard with osteoporosis or arthritis??
Did she have a predisposing condition which caused her osteoporosis like graves, was she overtreated for hypothyroidism, was she on prednisone or cortisone for her arthritis.Do you have autoimmune conditions in your family like celiac or thyroid conditions?
It sounds like she tried to take good care of herself.
I hope her pain is bearable and as I said I hope that she finds some joy and love in her life.
As to the coffee discussion, I find it too much of a stimulant and so don't like it for me. I have read alot lately about antioxidants in green tea as being very healthful and am thinking of adding that , hopefully in a decaf version. Any suggestions for a good decaf green tea?
As my pal phylwill :) is always up for moderation, I also know she , like me, is a big proponent of exercise -alot of this other stuff is just little stuff--I think exercise and of course a good diet will help us out immeasurably. And don't forget the calcium and vit d.
And, keep those good thoughts going.
As her daughter , do you have any thoughts why she was so hit hard with osteoporosis or arthritis??
Did she have a predisposing condition which caused her osteoporosis like graves, was she overtreated for hypothyroidism, was she on prednisone or cortisone for her arthritis.Do you have autoimmune conditions in your family like celiac or thyroid conditions?
It sounds like she tried to take good care of herself.
I hope her pain is bearable and as I said I hope that she finds some joy and love in her life.
As to the coffee discussion, I find it too much of a stimulant and so don't like it for me. I have read alot lately about antioxidants in green tea as being very healthful and am thinking of adding that , hopefully in a decaf version. Any suggestions for a good decaf green tea?
As my pal phylwill :) is always up for moderation, I also know she , like me, is a big proponent of exercise -alot of this other stuff is just little stuff--I think exercise and of course a good diet will help us out immeasurably. And don't forget the calcium and vit d.
And, keep those good thoughts going.
phylwill1152
06-22-2008, 08:24 AM
Hi Snowmelts and OB...i've been lazy about checking the board so i'm a bit behind on replying. Sorry to hear about the hard time your Mom's having. She sounds like strong woman who has had a lot to deal with. Like OB said there are secondary causes of osteo and then there is also what i call "luck of the draw". Some people can do all the wrong things and never have a problem and others do all the right things and get the things they've worked hard to prevent. My dr. always says "you can't pick your relatives or what they pass on to you" He has a point..you can't fight genetics. Have you had a DEXA to see how your bones are doing?
Hi Ob...how ya been? I'm walking everyday and exercising, but have put my vest away for the summer..even with the breathable fabric it gets too hot in our lovely humid midwest summers and the black fabric doesn't help at all. I'll use it diligently when fall comes. Water aerobic started last week and i'm lovin it.
take care ladies...have a good Sunday/week...phyllis
Hi Ob...how ya been? I'm walking everyday and exercising, but have put my vest away for the summer..even with the breathable fabric it gets too hot in our lovely humid midwest summers and the black fabric doesn't help at all. I'll use it diligently when fall comes. Water aerobic started last week and i'm lovin it.
take care ladies...have a good Sunday/week...phyllis