Save The Bones: How Can One Prevent Osteoporosis Or Bone Loss?

Many think that osteoporosis is a "women's disease". But the truth is it can affect men too. On the occasion of the World Osteoporosis Day, experts discussed effective ways to prevent osteoporosis or bone loss.

According to The Economic Times, the factors that contribute to the disease are hormonal changes happening around menopause, low levels of testosterone, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyle choices. Women have thinner bones than men; hence the common notion that osteoporosis only affects the former. The truth is women are just more prone to bone loss than men.

Additionally, women's estrogen that protects the bones sharply decreases during menopause. This increases their vulnerabilities to osteoporosis. For men, excess belly fat is also a factor. This is according to a recent study at Harvard Medical School. Miriam Bredella, one of the researchers, said that apart from being a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease, obesity can likewise lead to bone loss.

Other conditions that can lead to the disease are rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer. NDTV's Smart Cooky reported that osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures yearly in different parts of the world, which in turn results in an osteoporotic fracture every three seconds.

How can one prevent osteoporosis? Getting involved in physical activities like aerobics, dancing, and yoga can help. To reshape the bones, it would be beneficial to do weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, running, or climbing stairs.

Likewise, watching the diet is important. Experts recommend low fattening dairy products like yogurt, low-fat cheese, and toned milk, and green vegetables and fresh fruits. On the other hand, one should avoid salty foods, high-protein foods, caffeine, beans, and wheat bran.

Osteoporosis means porous bones or having holes in one's bones. It is a serious condition in which the body makes too little bone or loses too much of it. When bones become less dense, they become weak. This can lead to fractures of bones like wrists, hips, and spine. To prevent osteoporosis, it is important to educate oneself about the disease and do the necessary actions needed.