TORONTO--7 Jun--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest "This congress is becoming one of the major scientific meetings in the field of osteoporosis. The interdisciplinary and international flavour of the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis has never been more apparent than in Toronto," said congress delegate and IOF Board member Prof. John Bilezikian, USA. Some highlights: * Research on why astronauts lose significant muscle and bone mass while in space can lead to more effective techniques to reduce bone loss in bedridden patients. * Nine women leaders from around the world called on individuals, physicians and government officials to stop the spread of osteoporosis. * A new, sophisticated X-ray scanner that can measure tiny, three- dimensional changes in bone architecture, was presented. This scanner can detect bone loss that may be missed by standard techniques. * Rapid weight loss can be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Obesity is also a risk factor. * Maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and infant bone growth influence future fracture risk. * The rate of osteoporosis in men is climbing, with estrogen level an important component. * Calcium supplements are only effective in the presence of additional vitamin D at doses of 800 international units or above. * There is a major gap in treating patients with osteoporosis, despite theavailability of a wide range of drugs, supplements and practices that help maintain and even build bone strength. This problem is due to under-diagnosis, and failure of governments to reimburse people at risk. * The rate of osteoporosis in Latin America is growing and higher than previously estimated. * Research confirms the importance of calcium, vitamin D and protein in building bones. * Exercise in childhood and adolescence may stave off osteoporosis. * Cigarette smoke, both primary and secondary, can weaken your bones and increase the risk of fractures. http://www.osteofound.org/wco/2006/media_centre/20060606_closing/20060606_closing.doc (Please copy and paste the above URL in browser.) For full information based on the hundreds of presentations which took place, IOF website: http://www.osteofound.org The next IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2008. SOURCE: International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) CONTACT: Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, Head of Communications of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, +41-22-994-0100, or [email protected] Web site: http://www.osteofound.org