Osteoporosis Mat FARMINGTON, Conn. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A healthy diet, exercise and medication are typically what doctors prescribe for the more than 10 million women and men who suffer from osteoporosis in this country. Now, what you sleep on may also help prevent bone loss. Inside this thin mat are 200 layers of aluminum and polyester, materials that may hold the key to treating and preventing osteoporosis. Geriatrician Karen Prestwood, M.D., says, "When a person lies on the mat, the layers of material rub together and create this very low level electrical field." Researchers from the Center on Aging at the University of Connecticut in Farmington believe that electrical field builds bone density and stimulates calcium growth when patients sleep the mat. "The mat can act as a capacitor so that when a person lies on it, this energy is emitted and it is thought it may affect bones," says Dr. Prestwood. Half of the 70 women in the study sleep on the electromagnetic mat and half on a placebo mat. Agnes Perrault is a volunteer. She doesn't have osteoporosis yet, and hopes to keep it that way. "I really am into preventative medicine, or whatever. I would rather do something now than have some sort of condition," Perrault tells Ivanhoe. Bone activity is monitored through changes in blood and urine, which are taken every six weeks. Dr. Prestwood says, "The implications are huge because this would be a simple, noninvasive, inexpensive way to treat osteoporosis." The study is also looking at whether or not sleeping on the mat can boost the immune system. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. If you would like more information, please contact: Jane Shaskan Office of Communications University of Connecticut Health Center (860) 679-4777 shaskan@nso.uchc.edu Reported February 28, 2003 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.