osteoblast

I have recently re- read Strong Women, Strong Bones-by Miriam Nelson Ph.D. Dr. Nelson is with the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. I like the book alot, it includes some very practical information about how we can help our bone health. It has a very good section on setting up an exercise, strength training and balance program and how to advance it .I find it motivational. I won't go into the exercise plan, but there are two bits of information that I found interesting and perhaps useful for others:

Measure your height in the morning.That's the time of day you're tallest:the tug of gravity makes you up to half an inch shorter by evening.

Unless we take vitamin D supplements, our bone density changes with the season.....Bone density reaches its annual peak after the summer....We reach our annual low in the spring. ...The difference between high and low points can amount to 3 to 4 percent. That's why it's very important to consistently schedule bone density tests for the same time of the year.

I have often wondered about the changeability of my height at the drs. office- maybe it is the gravity thing . Probably the second point is obvious to most, but it is something to consider when scheduling dexas and comparing your dexa results.