Osteoporosis is a very old disease but sad to say, not too many people pay particular attention to its prevention until it’s a tad late. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones. A person with the condition has bones that are brittle and have lots of holes inside them – something like a sponge. As a result, people with osteoporosis are prone to fractures. Osteoporosis is most common in women who are above 60 although people outside these demographics are affected as well.

So how do you prevent osteoporosis?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests these 5 steps:

• Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
• Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
• When appropriate, have a bone density test and take medication

Pay particular attention to your calcium and vitamin D intake as young as possible. More info on these two:

According to NOF recommendations, adults under age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium daily, and adults age 50 and over need 1,200 mg of calcium daily. If you have difficulty getting enough calcium from the foods you eat, you may take a calcium supplement to make up the difference.

According to NOF recommendations, adults under age 50 need 400-800 IU of vitamin D daily, and adults age 50 and over need 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. There are two types of vitamin D supplements. They are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. Previous research suggested that vitamin D3 was a better choice than vitamin D2. However, more recent studies show that vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 are equally good for bone health.

Our bones do not become strong overnight. Their strength is a result of years and years of proper nourishment and care. As such, the steps that are given above should not be delayed in implementation. There is in fact no cure for osteoporosis currently.

Originally posted on April 20, 2011 @ 11:25 pm