How to Maintain Good Bone Health
It's a well-known fact that bones tend to weaken as we age. Fortunately, there are precautions people can take throughout their lives to benefit their bone health and reduce the odds of developing bone disease. In today's newsletter, we'll discuss the factors that impact bone health and action steps to keep them strong.
What Causes Bone Disease?
A decline in bone health isn't a total necessity of aging. There are several factors that affect bone health. It's common knowledge that regular exercise encourages bones and muscles to grow strong, but did you know that exercising improperly can wear down joints and even cause tiny fractures to form? Another common cause of bone disease is vitamin deficiency. Other conditions are hereditary.
If you have any concerns about your bone or joint health, it's best to visit a doctor sooner rather than later. Many conditions, such as osteoporosis, in which the bones lose density and become fragile, worsen with time but can be slowed down by proper treatment. Holistic health professionals can also give great advice on leading a healthy lifestyle and taking proper care of your bones.
How to Maintain and Improve Bone Health
As scary as bone disease may be, there are plenty of ways to keep healthy. One of the most important is proper nutrition. The body requires certain nutrients, such as calcium and protein, to maintain strong bones. That means eating your fruits and vegetables and, with professional supervision, taking supplements where necessary. Other key nutrients include vitamin D, vitamin K2, and omega-3s. Naturally produced foods tend to be much higher in nutrients than processed ones. Low-calorie diets can be very harmful to your health, so they are best avoided. You’ll also need to get direct exposure to sunlight to produce vitamin D.
Strength training is also beneficial for bone strength since the stresses stimulate bone growth. Strong muscles also support your skeleton, thereby reducing wear and tear. All that said, it's very important to train safely. Don't jump straight into heavy weights just because you saw someone else do it! Injuries like fractures and breaks seriously harm the long-term strength of your bones. Take preventative measures now to keep yourself healthy in the future.
Check in regularly with your healthcare team to make sure you're healthy, and follow any advice they give you. Often, health conditions can be prevented by living healthily and listening to your doctor. Also, regular medical appointments will catch any conditions before they get a chance to progress.
Did you know that smoking and drinking alcohol can affect bone density and health? It's common knowledge that these habits can cause all kinds of health conditions, but they impact your bones too. Smoking, in particular, can lower bone density, especially in young adults. Alcohol can inhibit calcium absorption and reduce your ability to heal. The younger a person is when they start these habits, the worse they tend to be.
Although bone density is best built in your youth, following these steps can help anyone improve their bone health, regardless of age. Be sure to consult with your chiropractor regularly and follow their advice. They will be able to give you tips tailored to your unique situation and set you on the path to optimal health and wellness. Look out for our next email. It's our mission to provide you with tips and resources to improve all aspects of musculoskeletal well-being. Thanks for reading!