Health and Wellness
African American women join together against vitamin D deficiency
Os-Cal and ‘Health Champions’ across the nation are taking the news straight to their bones, family and friends
(Black PR Wire) Pittsburgh--Women have used neighborhood parties and social activities for years to spread the word about the latest in cosmetics, containers and cutlery. Now, women are using these types of events to spread the word about important health issues, such as vitamin D deficiency.
And Os-Cal, the number one doctor- and pharmacist-recommended calcium supplement, is empowering African American women to take charge of this health issue by providing resources to help them host in-home parties, church events and other activities to educate and engage their mothers, sisters, daughters and girlfriends about the need to ensure their strength and their beauty are bone deep.
A growing body of research supports the finding that vitamin D deficiency is a major health issue for African American women. Seventy percent of all women ages 51-70 and nearly 90 percent of women older than 70 aren’t getting enough vitamin D. And African American women are at higher risk. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which helps to reduce age-related bone loss and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis.
Nearly two-thirds of African American women mistakenly believe they are getting enough vitamin D. In addition, African American women typically have denser bones, so there is a false assumption that calcium vitamin D deficiencies bypass this group.
The reality is that when African American women reach midlife, their risk of developing osteoporosis more closely resembles that of Caucasians, and if over the age of 65, between 80 percent and 95 percent of bone fractures among African American women are due to osteoporosis.
In 2005, Os-Cal launched the "We Matter, Vitamin D Matters Forums" in churches nationwide. Led by a panel of health experts, more than 900 African American women became Os-Cal Health Champions, charged with hosting educational "We Matter, Vitamin D Matters" events in their communities.
Utilizing "Each One, Teach One" toolkits containing educational bone health resources, African American women were educated on ways to maintain healthy bones through a combination of weight-bearing exercise, a calcium-rich diet and supplementation.
"It was so gratifying last year to teach these sisters, mothers and daughters across the country about this health issue that could potentially affect many of us," says Byllye Avery, founder of the National Black Women’s Health Project, and Os-Cal Health Champion.
"Because of what they’ve learned at ‘We Matter, Vitamin D Matters Forums,’ I know many who are now sure to get their daily recommended amounts of vitamin D and calcium--and that means the world to me."
This year, Os-Cal is developing an online bone health Webinar for current and prospective Health Champions to provide additional tools and support to organize local "We Matter, Vitamin D Matters" events. Narrated by Byllye Avery, who also hosted last year’s events, the Webinar will be launched later this year and will equip African American women and organizations with tools and training to host events in their communities
"Celebrating Life, Celebrating Me"
For women who organize "We Matter, Vitamin D Matters" events with more than 100 attendees scheduled (Gold Health Champions), Os-Cal provides everything from a "Queens for a Night" VIP dinner with a book-signing appearance by photojournalist Michael Cunningham to a profile of the Health Champion on its Web site. Even those with 49 attendees or fewer (Bronze Health Champions) receive free publicity to promote their event, recognition on the Web site, goodie packages and certificates!
Women who are interested in becoming Health Champions or would like more information about hosting local "We Matter, Vitamin D Matters" events can visit www.oscal.com/champion. For a free guide about keeping bones healthy, call 1-866-My-Bone-Health (1-866-692-6634).
Fighting Deficiency with a Capital "D"
Active, healthy lives depend on beautiful, healthy bones. Healthy bones depend on calcium, and vitamin D helps with calcium’s absorption into the body. In addition to bone health, vitamin D is also important in building and maintaining healthy muscles.
Vitamin D helps muscle cells mature and function and helps keep them active and strong enough to support the body. On the other hand, lack of vitamin D can make muscles weak.
Because some of the typical symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are aching bones and muscle discomfort, vitamin D deficiency is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
"Women who want to stay active, vibrant and mobile throughout life have to realize healthy bones are essential," says Byllye Avery. "By making simple changes in their diet, exercise and mindset, women can continue to lead actives lives for years to come. The time is now to join Os-Cal in the quest to get women of color bone-healthy beautiful."
The color in bones--why Black women are at higher risk
A variety of factors can cause calcium and vitamin D deficiency in African American women. The high melanin content in darker skin reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight. In fact, experts note that people with darker skin may need 20 to 30 times as much exposure to sunlight as fair-skinned individuals to generate the same amount of vitamin D.
Inadequate intake of vitamin D in diet is another factor. Studies confirm that African Americans consume the lowest amounts of vitamin D from food alone among different ethnicities. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 75 percent of African Americans are lactose intolerant, possibly further limiting the consumption of calcium and vitamin D-fortified dairy products.
More than 75 percent of Americans are not meeting the current calcium intake recommendation.
