Osteoporosis and Bone Loss Diseases Preventable With Healthy Lifestyle

Posted by Rajni Singh
1
Jan 18, 2016
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As you age, mineral levels of calcium and magnesium are depleted, causing bone mass and density to decrease. Most accept this as a natural part of aging, and to a certain degree it is. However, there are some steps you can take to slow this process and avoid broken bones, particularly hip fractures as you advance into senior years.

Quit Smoking


Smoking causes damage throughout the body, not just the lungs even though that is what we hear about most often. Smokers absorb less calcium than non-smokers. This means that even if their calcium intake is the same, a smoker’s bones will potentially be less dense than those of a non-smoker. Because smoking lowers estrogen levels in women, and lower estrogen is linked to accelerated bone loss, female smokers are at an even greater risk of low bone density.

Daily Activity

Studies have continually demonstrated that those who live active lifestyles and engage in regular exercise have higher bone density than those who are sedentary. As early as childhood, exercise plays a vital role in developing the skeletal system and preventing geriatric bone loss. The types of activities that are best for preventing osteoporosis and other bone loss diseases are those that work your body against gravity such as walking, stair climbing, weight lifting, and hiking.

Consume High-Nutrient Diet


Proper nutrition, along with exercise, is the most important key to preventing bone disease. Eating a diet rich in whole foods including fruits and vegetables will help nourish your bones and support healthy living by providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Nutrients significant for bone building include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and protein. Foods like spinach and other greens, citrus fruits, Greek yogurt, beans, and salmon added to the diet will help protect bones, and the earlier you adopt healthy eating habits, the better the outcome.

While adding more whole foods into your diet, it is important to eliminate nutrient-robbing foods. Many processed foods deplete calcium, phosphorus, and other bone-supporting nutrients because they contain excess sodium, synthetic sulfites, nitrites, nitrates, and phosphoric acid. Examples include many canned foods, processed meats such as lunchmeat and bacon, and soda.

A Lufkin orthopedic specialist can offer more tips on bone health to help you prevent fractures from loss of bone mass as you age. Living a healthier lifestyle will help not only help you prevent bone loss, but it will help you enjoy more vibrancy and energy.

To learn more about direct orthopedic care in Lufkin or information on preventing basketball injuries, please call (936) 634-0062 or visit here: DOC Lufkin Texas
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