What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass and density and an increased risk of fracture.
What causes osteoporosis?
There is no single cause of osteoporosis.
Our bodies constantly build new bone and remove older bone. In childhood, more bone is built than removed, and so the bones grow in size. After age 30 or 40, the cells that build new bone do not keep up with those that remove bone. The total amount of bone then decreases, and osteoporosis may develop as a result.
Are women more affected than men?
The average rate of bone loss in men and in women who have not yet reached menopause is small. But after menopause, bone loss in women accelerates to an average of one to two percent a year.
This is because after menopause the level of the female hormone estrogen sharply decreases. Estrogen protects the skeleton by helping the body’s bone-forming cells to keep working. After menopause, when the level decreases, some of this protection is lost.
How can I prevent Osteoporosis?
A combined approach of nutrition and exercise can help prevent the onset of osteoporosis. Adequate Calcium and Vitamin D helps keep the bones strong to withstand everyday forces. 1000 mg of Calcium and 400 IU of Vitamin D are recommended daily for women, through both food and supplement sources.
Exercise is also extremely important in preventing the onset of osteoporosis. Regular weight-bearing activity puts stress through the bones, and they react much like muscles do by becoming stronger through use.
It is important to consult with a health professional before beginning any new exercise program or adding supplementation to your diet. Contact the professionals at Kew Gardens Health Group for more information.
