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Lawrence Lenke, MD

Lawrence Lenke, MD is chief of spine surgery, Director of the Complex Spinal Deformity Fellowship and the Jerome J. Gilden Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.

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Why Clinical Trials for Cancer Patients

My father has a newly-diagnosed lung cancer and is not a candidate for surgery. The oncologist has offered participation in a clinical trial. Should he participate?

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Sunscreen - Don't Leave Home Without It

Unprotected sun exposure to UVA and UVB rays causes damage to the skin and an increased risk of skin cancers including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

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Strength from the Inside Out

Fashion magazines overflow with tips on the latest diets, the best moisturizers and the longest-lasting lipsticks -- but they usually don’t mention what we should be doing to maintain strong bones, which are essential for good health and beauty.

Strong bones are the framework that support muscles and protect vital organs – allowing us to live longer, healthier lives. Loss of bone mass is preventable, but according to the National Institute of Health, 44 million Americans are at risk for osteoporosis and 68 percent of those are women. And a report by the Surgeon General warned that by the year 2020, half of all Americans older than 50 could be at risk for fractures as a result of low bone mass.

Roberto Civitelli, MD, a Washington University specialist in osteoporosis says, “People used to just accept weakening of the bones as a normal part of aging, and in the past it didn’t affect so many people because we didn’t live as long.

Women lose the most bone mass in the first five years after menopause due to estrogen loss -- but there are things we can do to stave off bone loss and fractures.”

So many people are undernourished today when it comes to calcium and vitamin D -- the two most important nutrients our bodies need to develop and maintain bone density.

Studies from Washington University have shown that calcium from dietary sources is better able to protect bone health than calcium only from supplements. But no matter where we get our calcium and vitamin D, what is most important is that we do get it.

Dr. Civitelli recommends the following for good bone health:

• Daily calcium intake: 1,000 to 1,500 mg -- most servings of dairy (milk, cheese and yogurt) contain about 200 mg of calcium

• Daily vitamin D intake: 800 to 1,000 units

• Weight-bearing exercise program

• Avoid cigarette smoking

• Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption

If you are worried about bone density loss, call 314-454-7775 for an appointment with Dr. Civitelli.

Patients are seen at:

Center for Advanced Medicine
Medicine Multispecialty Center
4921 Parkview Place, 5th Floor, Suite C
St. Louis, MO 63110

Medicine Multispecialty Center
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Medical Building Two
10 Barnes West Drive
Suite 200
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Roberto Civitelli, MD

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Strength from the Inside Out

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