Osteoporosis is a serious and silent condition that over time results in weaker bones that are prone to fracture. These fractures can be life-altering and in some cases even life-threatening. Posture too is affected with spinal osteoporosis leading to loss of height and even a hunched appearance.
To have healthy bones for life you need to start early. Once you develop osteoporosis, it is near impossible to reverse it, so prevention is the key. You need to start banking calcium into your bones especially as a child and teenager. Peak bone mass actually occurs before age 30 and then gradual losses can start. These losses are accelerated with age, especially in women after menopause. Contrary to popular belief this is not only a women's issue but men also are affected, so everyone needs to pay attention. Also, it's never too earlier to start, in fact the earlier the better. Bone health is like a bank account or pension plan -- you need to start banking calcium very early in life to have enough to withstand the predictable losses that can occur over time. If there is not enough to begin with, it is easy to overdraw and get a deficit, resulting vulnerable bones.
In several upcoming blogs I will review:
- The role of nutrition (especially calcium intake and good food sources)
- What exercises are best to prevent osteoporosis
- What tests are available to screen for osteoporosis, and who should get one (i.e. who’s at risk)
So, stay tuned so you can have strong, healthy bones. In the meantime, what do you do to keep your bones strong? Share your strategies with us.
