Osteoporosis

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So you know a little bit about osteoporosis. You are aware that it is one of the most devastating bone diseases on the planet, you know that it can frequently cause fractures in the bones of sufferers, and you know that osteoporosis, for the most part, affects postmenopausal women. What some people are not aware of though, is that osteoporosis can be prevented. There is much to be learned about this disease and its prevention, so putting in the effort to find out will be well worth it. Just to get you started, here are some tips you can use that will give you a better understanding about how you should go about preventing this disease.

1. Eat a healthy diet – The diet that is optimal for osteoporosis prevention will have a good balance of all the nutrients, but will also include many calcium and vitamin D rich foods. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and any other dairy products are good sources of calcium. So are leafy greens like collards, spinach, and lettuce. Certain fish contain large amounts of both calcium and vitamin D, so those are always good meal choices. Many people are not aware that sunlight is actually a good source of vitamin D. Simply stepping outside of your house to get some fresh air every day will provide you with nutrients that will help to prevent osteoporosis.

2. Exercise – This will keep you healthy in many ways, not just preventing this disease. For osteoporosis, both aerobic and anaerobic exercises are necessary. Aerobic exercises should get your heart pumping, so going for a walk, run, or jog should are good choices. Anything that gets the blood flowing is going to be a good defense against osteoporosis. Anaerobic exercises would include some weight training. It does not have to be lifting heavy weights by any means, even light weight training can strengthen the bones.

3. Get tested – There are several reasons why you should get your bone mineral density tested. A few of those reasons are: you are above 65 years old, you are a postmenopausal woman, or you have experienced early menopause. Also, many diseases or disorders can be precursors to osteoporosis. Somebody that was born prematurely will be more likely to develop this disease than those who were not, and diseases such as Cushing’s or diabetes can also be contributors to osteoporosis.

Having a healthy lifestyle, the proper diet, and exercise are all great ways to help prevent this disease, but unfortunately sometimes that is not enough. Osteoporosis can still develop even if somebody rigorously follows these guidelines. But this does not mean that you should not do everything you can to keep your bones strong and healthy. Age, race, and gender are all factors when it comes to this disease, but it can affect anyone. These guidelines are good for preventing osteoporosis, but really it is great for your health overall.