Bones provide the framework for our bodies, and it’s essential to maintain bone health for our bodies to continue to function properly and remain pain and injury-free, especially as we age.
As we get older, our bones naturally tend to lose their density and become weaker. Thinning bones can lead to osteoporosis, a condition of excessive low bone density that can lead to bone fractures. It’s estimated that more than 1.5 million fractures are caused by osteoporosis in the U.S. each year, including over 300,000 hip fractures, 700,000 back bone fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and 300,000 other bone fractures.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 44 million men and women over the age of 50 in U.S. have osteoporosis. This equates to approximately 55% of the American population age 50 and older. Women over the age of 50 have the highest risk of osteoporosis. In fact, women are four times more likely than men to have thinning bones and develop osteoporosis.
Until the age of 30, our bodies naturally build more bone than we lose. But as we age, our bodies start to lose more bone than we can build, and this results in a gradual bone loss of about 1% each year after the age of 30. Once bone loss reaches a certain point, a person is considered to have osteoporosis.
One of the best ways to avoid osteoporosis is to eat a well-balanced diet of whole, natural foods that contain the bone-building compounds necessary for strong, dense bones. It’s also beneficial to take a bone supplement, such as Healthy Choice Naturals Osteo-Care, an all-natural formula of powerful bone-strengthening calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.
Exercise is another important way to increase and maintain bone density and avoid all the problems associated with thinning bones. Experts say weight lifting and even just walking can increase bone density. Exercise is good for bones because it causes stress on the bones as the muscles contract, which stimulates bone growth and makes bones thicker and stronger.
If you’re over the age of 50, you may already have thinning bones, but how can you tell? There are often no symptoms of thinning bones, and many people with osteoporosis don’t even know they have it. Here are 9 warning signs to be aware of that could mean you have thinning bones:
- Your bones fracture easily: Healthy bones are able to bear a certain level of impact or force without breaking under the pressure. So if you’ve suffered a broken bone from a low-level impact, it’s most likely a sign that you have thinning bones.
- You have small bone structure: Naturally, slender people with small bone structure don’t have much bone mass to begin with, so once symptoms of thinning bones start to appear, it can quickly progress to osteoporosis. It’s especially important for people with small bone structure to eat a diet rich in bone-building compounds and to take a bone supplement, such as Healthy Choice Naturals Osteo-Care.
- You take autoimmune medications: Prescription medications for autoimmune disorders can affect bone mass. It is the doctor’s responsibility to take bone-mass into consideration when prescribing medications to their patients.
- You smoke: Smoking is a major risk factor for osteoporosis, so if you smoke, your bones are thinning with every puff. Kick the habit for good with Healthy Choice Naturals herbal 7-day stop smoking kit called Kick Your Nic! It is the only all-natural stop smoking program that incorporates 4 unique herbal formulas to provide natural support for every obstacle you may face, including overcoming nicotine withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings to smoke, calming tensions and stress, and cleansing and detoxifying your body. It is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so it is guaranteed to work or you get your money back.
- You drink alcohol every day: Drinking alcohol can lead to weak, thinning bones because it drains the bones of vital minerals. Even just two drinks per day can affect bones and make you more vulnerable to osteoporosis.
- You are lactose intolerant: If you are intolerant of dairy foods, you must get your daily intakes of vitamin D, calcium and other vital nutrients from other food sources, such as fortified soy and rick milk, and from nutritional supplements, such as Healthy Choice Naturals Osteo-Care bone density support formula.
- You have anorexia and bulimia: Anorexic and bulimic people deprive themselves of food and all the important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients required for optimal health, including strong bones. A well-balanced diet that includes all the vital nutrients is essential for both men and women.
- You menstruation cycle is irregular or infrequent: Infrequent or sporadic menstruation may be a warning sign of osteoporosis in women. Women over the age of 50 have the highest risk of developing osteoporosis, which is four times higher than men.
- A family history of osteoporosis: If you have one or more first or second-degree family members who have osteoporosis, there’s a good chance you may have thinning bones too. Family history of osteoporosis is a very good indicator that you may also have this condition.
No matter how young or old you are, it’s never too early or too late to be concerned about thinning bones and to take steps to avoid it. The good news is that in many cases, thinning bones can be avoided through proper nutrition and regular exercise. By living an active lifestyle that includes eating a well-balanced diet, taking nutritional supplements, and getting regular exercise, both men and women can maintain stronger, healthier bones throughout their lives.
Sources:
http://www.webhealthwatch.com/general-health/10-warning-signs-your-bones-are-thinning.html
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/osteoporosis-menopause