Decreased bone density and increased chance of breaking bones is a bone disorder called osteoporosis. Though osteoporosis impacts mainly elderly individuals, early preventive measures might maintain bone health and lower risk for developing it. Strategies for osteoporosis prevention – lifestyle modifications, nutritional interventions along with other proactive steps are described. Young or old, learning how to keep bones healthy is vital for mobility and life quality.

Osteoporosis: understanding the disease.

Osteoporosis is an ailment in which bones become fractured, brittle, and weak easily. This weakening of the bones is typically the result of an imbalance between bone development and bone resorption, leading to decreased structural integrity and bone density. Osteoporosis can impact any bone within the body, but most often, it impacts the spinal column, wrists, and hips.

Typical risk factors for osteoporosis are :

• Age
• Gender (women are at greater risk)
• Osteoporosis family history
• Low body weight or body mass index (BMI)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Some medical conditions and medications

Strategies on Preventing Osteoporosis

Maintain a Healthy Diet: A good diet containing calcium, vitamin D and some other nutrients is vital for bone health.  Milk products, leafy greens, almonds and fortified foods are calcium rich. Vitamin D comes from sunshine and enriched food like oily fish, egg yolks and enriched milk products.

Do Weight-Bearing Exercise: Walking, dancing, running and strength training encourage bone development and maintenance. Strive for thirty mins of weight bearing exercise the majority of days of the week to keep your bones in good health.

Quit Smoking: Smoking reduces bone absorption and hormone levels. The loss of smoking could lessen osteoporosis and improve health.

Limit Alcohol Drinking: Alcohol leads to bones to weaken and break easily. Limit alcohol to moderate servings – 1 drink each day for women and two for men.

Keep a Healthy Body Weight: Being underweight or extremely weighty raises osteoporosis risk. A healthy body weight with balanced eating and exercise helps bones.

Have Regular Bone Density Screenings: Bone density screenings like dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans assess bone density and determine all those at high risk of osteoporosis. Ask your provider when you should start screening and just how frequently to repeat it according to your risk factors.

Take Bone Health Supplements: Some individuals also take supplements to keep bones healthy while obtaining nutrients from foods. In those extremely low in dietary consumption or at high risk for deficiency, vitamin D and calcium and calcium supplements might be indicated.

Falls Risk Reduction: Falls can be another reason for fractures, particularly in elderly individuals with osteoporosis. Remove tripping hazards, install grab bars and handrails, put on appropriate shoes and perform balance exercises to minimize falls risk.

Foods For Bone Health.

Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt, and cheese have calcium – that will help develop and preserve bone structure.

Leafy Green Vegetables: Spinach, kale, collard greens along with some other greens offer calcium, magnesium and vitamin K for healthy bones.

Fatty Fish: Salmon, sardines and mackerel include the omega three essential fatty acids and vitamin D which bones require.

Fortified Foods: Food like orange juice, cereals and vegetable-based milk options have calcium and vitamin D to promote bone health.

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, sesame seeds and chia seeds contain calcium and magnesium and other bone – healthy nutrients.

Beans and Legumes: Beans, lentils and chickpeas are legume sources of calcium, protein and other bone – supporting nutrients.

Bone health is vital for avoiding osteoporosis and decreasing fracture risk of an ageing population. Healthy eating, exercising along with other proactive measures can help bone density and strength last a lifetime. For individualized advice and tips on osteoporosis or methods to keep your bones in good health, see an orthopedic physician in your area. You can safeguard your bones with preventive measures  by visiting an orthopedic doctor near you.