Health Flash!

Breaking news on bones. Brittle bones aren't the exclusive province of old ladies. Two percent of college-aged women have osteoporosis, and another 15 percent are on their way to developing it, report researchers from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Poor diet and low body weight are two culprits. Keep bones healthy with frequent weight-bearing exercise and, of course, calcium.

Kindred spirits. If alcoholism runs in your family, you may feel drunk fast, but your buzz wears off quickly, possibly making you crave more alcohol, shows a study from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Those of you with drinking problems in the family tree, go extra easy on the sauce.

Egg-cicles. Freezing temperature-sensitive eggs (as opposed to sperm or embryos) hasn't been successful—until recently. Fertility specialists in Milwaukee helped the first American woman become pregnant through vitrification, in which eggs are dehydrated before being frozen. Still, the price tag may freeze out some people; the whole process, including implantation, could cost about $10,000.

M.D. ALTERNATIVE. Naturopaths, doctors trained in alternative medicine, can now be licensed to prescribe medicine and perform minor surgery in 12 states. The N.D. must graduate from a four-year naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive exam. Log on to www.naturopathic.org to find an accredited naturopath near you.

Health-plan help. "Unlike a PPO plan, a POS plan without direct access requires a PCP referral." Baffled by health care's alphabet soup? Sort it out with The Health Plan Guide for Women, a Cliffs Notes version of insurance policies. To order a free copy, go to www.healthplanguides.com.