Prevention of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

There are a lot of people all over the world who fear osteoporosis and want to know how they can prevent it from happening to them. This is a condition that affects the bones and makes them less strong. Because of that, the bones are more likely to fracture more often and become weak and fragile. In most cases of this condition, it is the spine, wrist and hips that are affected. However, it is not uncommon for the bones in the arm and pelvis to get affected as well. According to certain studies, over 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis. Due to that fact, there are more that 230,000 fractures every year. In most cases of osteoporosis, it is the post-menstrual women who are affected by it. However, men can also end up suffering from it. Every person knows that the bone consists of a harder outer shell and a mesh of collagen, minerals, blood vessels and bone marrow on the inside. There is space between these parts and they are small in case of a healthy bone. However, the spaces of a bone which is affected by osteoporosis are bigger. This makes the bone more fragile and less elastic. People should also know that the bone is a living tissue, which means that it repairs itself all the time. However, in order to do that, the bones need minerals and proteins. This process is a lot faster when people are younger and it gets a lot slower as people grow older. Bone density is gradually lost once the person reaches the age of 35.

Preventing osteoporosis

Sun is very important for the strength and overall health of the bones. The main reason why that is so, is because sunlight is the best source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important for the process of calcium absorption. Genes play a part in the height and strength of the bones but a person’s lifestyle options will determine how healthy the bones will be. A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential. People should exercise at least half an hour three or four times in a period of seven days. Experts agree that weight-bearing exercises and resistance exercises are especially important in the process of prevention of osteoporosis. Apart from the exercises, a proper diet is also highly important. A person should intake at least 700mg of calcium every day. One pint of milk will provide that amount.