What are bones and how does keeping your bones healthy make a difference?

It is important to realise that your bones are not just solid structures that make up your skeleton. They are living tissue. They support your muscles, protect your organs and store much of your body’s calcium. Your bones are changing all the time. They are affected by what you eat and how much you exercise. Until the age of about 30, you can build and store bone efficiently. Then, part of the natural aging process, your bones begin to break down faster than new bone can be formed. Unfortunately in women, bone loss gets faster once menopause has been reached.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and break more easily. People with osteoporosis are at increased risk for fracture, especially in the hip, wrist and back. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects the joints, which are the areas that connect your bones. It often affects the hands, knee, hip, feet or back.

Why Should I Care?

Osteoporosis is a serious public health threat, especially for women. Roughly 10 million Americans currently have the disease and four out of five of them are women. Half of women over the age of fifty will suffer from a fracture caused by osteoporosis during their lifetime. Women are more than twice as likely to fracture their hips than men.

Studies in the US have proven that Osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million Americans, typically over the age of 45. It has shown that the disease is more common in women and that the hormone estrogen is involved in the development of osteoarthritis in women.

What Can I Do?

When it comes to osteoporosis, your lifestyle can make a difference. Developing good habits early on will help protect your bones throughout life. Women between the ages of 19-50 should get at least 1,000 mg of calcium in their diet per day, which is equal to about three glasses of milk. You should consult a reliable food chart to find out the calcium content of specific foods. Avoid smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Participate in weight-bearing exercises such as stair-climbing, hiking and bicycle riding. Walking, jogging and running can also be good exercise. Talk to your doctor about what exercise is best for you.If you have a family history of osteoporosis, speak with your health care provider about ways to cut down your risk. There are medications available to help fight osteoporosis.

Old age, family history, obesity and joint injuries can put you at risk for osteoarthritis. Keep your weight under control and be aware of your family history. Talk to your health care provider about other ways to protect yourself from osteoarthritis.