Though anyone can develop osteoporosis, if you’re a woman, your wellbeing is more at risk to the brittle bone disease. Osteoporosis especially affects older women, as the lessening of oestrogen that comes from menopause, and even perimenopause, weakens bone strength. Experts often discuss how to spot the signs of osteoporosis, or how to treat it, but before you let your wellness get to that stage, why don’t you take natural steps to prevent osteoporosis?
The most obvious cause of osteoporosis is a lack of calcium, as you need this mineral to build healthy, strong bones. Women tend to lose calcium easily from the body, and so eating higher proportions of calcium rich foods, such as milk, dairy products, spinach, broccoli, and seafood, can help you guard against this. When you stop menstruating, or even before this, this is a sign that the oestrogen hormone that protects your bones is in decline. Therefore, you might like to consider adding calcium supplements to your daily regime from as early as the age of 35.
However, having calcium is not the only way to prevent osteoporosis. Your bone health may be badly affected by your weight or lack of exercise. Managing your weight is a great way to make sure that your bones and joints aren’t under too much pressure, and doing this via exercise helps to keep your bones flexible, instead of letting them go rusty. However, don’t crash diet to lose weight because this is one of the worst things you can do for bone health, as well as your overall wellbeing. Crash diets leave out essential nutrients, such as calcium, which means that you’ll actually be doing more harm than good.
Another important thing to watch out for is body pain of any kind. Don’t ignore persistent body pain, especially joint pain, as this can be a precursor to osteoporosis. If you do experience this, consult your doctor as soon as possible and make sure you are tested for any signs of osteoporosis. Finally, sunbathing can be a relaxing way to reduce your risk of the disease, as your body needs the vitamin D produced by sunlight on your skin to process calcium. Every day, get a little bit of morning sun and you’ll have stronger, healthier bones in no time.
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