What is osteoporosis ? Osteoporosis is usually preventable. Females need to take steps to protect the health of their bones while they are still children, and on through their teenage and young adult years. Building strong bones at a young age will lessen the effect of the natural bone loss that begins to occur around age 30. Use the following guidelines :
- Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, fish with edible bones like salmon and sardines, and dark green, leafy vegetables, like kale and broccoli.
- Do weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, hiking, playing tennis, and stair climbing. Exercise builds bone and muscle strength and helps prevent bone loss and improves coordination to prevent falls. It also helps older people stay active and mobile.
Weight-bearing exercises, done on a regular basis, are best for preventing causes of osteoporosis. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
- If you are postmenopausal, consider estrogen replacement.
- Consider using calcium supplements, but discuss the choice of supplements with your doctor first.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.
By Chris Chenoweth
