Facts About Osteoporosis | The Prescription Shop
Osteoporosis is a common health condition that occurs in at least 10 percent of adults over age 50, but believe it or not, it’s not an unavoidable part of aging. May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month, and The Prescription Shop wants to share some important and interesting facts about bone health with you!
Did you know? Bone mass peaks in our 30s. After that, bone loss typically begins and is accelerated in women after menopause when estrogen levels drop. While older men also develop osteoporosis, bone loss typically starts later in men than in women.
Do you know the risk factors for osteoporosis? Age comes first, then other factors such as a family history of osteoporosis, being a person who is small and thin, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and being physically inactive.
Do you know about the role calcium and vitamin D play in your bone health? Researchers have long stated that inadequate intake of dietary calcium can also put a person at risk for osteoporosis. If blood levels of calcium fall too low, your bones leach calcium to restore normal levels. Over time, the more your bones give calcium away, the more weak they will be.
The Institute of Medicine currently recommends that women over 50 and men over 70 take 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily with 600 international units of vitamin D as a precaution.
Individuals who can’t take calcium supplements need not fear–there are plenty of other ways to help protect your bones:
Engage in weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, jumping rope, climbing stairs, as well as resistance training exercises like those using free weights, weight machines, elastic bands, and your own body (think push-ups and chin-ups). Even daily yoga has been found to increase the bone mineral density of the spine, femur thigh bone, and hips.
For individuals who already have osteoporosis, it’s important to check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine. People with osteoporosis in the spine will need to avoid heavy lifting, sit-ups/crunches and any other physical activities that involve much bending and twisting.
What questions do you have about enjoying better health? The Prescription Shop wants to help you live as happy and healthy a life as you can. Please visit our website to explore some of our current products and services to bring better health to your whole family.