Your bones need to last your entire life. Having strong bones will give you greater independence and a better quality of life when you’re older.

Osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50. It may not be detected until fractures occur. Women over the age of 50 have a 50 percent chance of fracturing a bone in their lifetime and the fractures can result in increased morbidity and mortality.

Approximately 40 percent of patients with osteoporotic hip fractures die within 5 years. Because there can be no signs or symptoms before a fracture occurs, many people are diagnosed late, when treatment options are limited.

Some of the biggest risk factors are: History of fractures in adulthood, smoking, loss of estrogen early in life, being under weight, poor overall health, low calcium intake, physical inactivity, vitamin D deficiency, high alcohol intake, and use of oral steroid therapy for more than 3 months.

It’s important to form good habits during childhood and adolescence to protect your bone health as you get older. The likelihood of developing osteoporosis is dependent on how much bone mass you attain by the time you reach 30, when you reach maximum bone density and strength.

Low bone density risk factors

  • Nutrient deficiencies – Particularly calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.
  • Lack of physical activity – People who don’t exercise are more susceptible to developing osteoporosis.
  • Using tobacco and alcohol – Tobacco use contributes to weak bones, and alcohol can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium.
  • Gender – As unfair as it is, you’re at greater risk of osteoporosis being a woman as you have less bone tissue than men.
  • Low BMI – You’re more at risk if you are thin or have a small body frame, as you most likely have less bone mass.
  • Age – As you get older your bones become weaker and thinner.
  • Family history – You are at greater risk if you have a family history of fractures.
  • Hormone imbalances – Having too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss. Perimenopause and menopause also cause bone loss as estrogen levels drop.
  • Certain medications

6 tips for building strong bones

1. Obtain enough calcium

Perhaps the most obvious nutrient when it comes to bone health, as it is necessary for the proper development of teeth and bones. Not only is calcium present in the obvious dairy products, other good sources of calcium include tinned fish with edible bones, Bok choy, raw nuts and seeds, tahini and hummus. Many people consume nowhere near the recommended daily intake of calcium, thus it may be beneficial to take a calcium supplement with supportive vitamins and minerals to help maintain healthy, strong bones and teeth.

2. Get some vitamin D

Did you know that you can have all the calcium in the world, but if you are low in vitamin D you will not absorb it? Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium and depositing it into the bones. The easiest way to obtain vitamin D is through sun exposure, as the sun converts the cholesterol in our skin to vitamin D. Try to get 15-20 minutes of sun exposure a day, this may be more or less depending on skin tone. Vitamin D levels can be checked by getting a simple blood test. Due to their lifestyle and location, many people can’t obtain enough vitamin D from sunshine. Thus a supplement may be required.

3. Get enough vitamin K

Vitamin K2 takes the calcium that vitamin D has placed into deposits in the bone, and weaves it into the bone structure, to make the structure of the whole bone stronger. Vitamin K1 comes from plant foods, whilst vitamin K2 comes from animal foods and fermented foods. Rich sources of vitamin K2 include high-fat dairy products from grass-fed cows, liver and egg yolks. Vitamin K2 is also available in supplement form. As vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin it needs to be taken with foods that contain some fat for better absorption.

4. Magnesium will help

This powerful mineral is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, and also plays an essential role in bone growth, thereby helping to strengthen bone structure. Magnesium also helps your body to absorb calcium. Good sources of magnesium include leafy green vegetables, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, brown rice, avocado, bananas, and apricots. Magnesium can also be purchased in powder or tablet form. For more information on the many benefits of magnesium, read my book Magnesium: The Miracle Mineral.

5. Get physical

Regular exercise is essential for warding off a number of health issues, and bone health is no exception. Weight-bearing exercises are particularly beneficial for increasing bone density. The most effective exercises include running, walking, skiing, and dancing, coupled with resistance training. As an added bonus, improving strength and balance also helps to prevent falls in those who already have osteoporosis. L-glutamine is an amino acid that is vital for muscle growth and muscle function, and also assists muscle recovery after exercise.

6. Go easy on the caffeine and the alcohol

While caffeine has proven to have some healthy benefits, unfortunately this doesn’t extend to our bones. Coffee lovers can relax however, as studies have shown that it is drinking more than two cups of coffee per day that accelerates bone loss. Therefore, drinking less than this is perfectly reasonable, but drinking coffee in excess can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium. When it comes to alcohol consumption, it is not necessary to quit entirely, however don’t drink excessively as this can cause bone loss, because it interferes with vitamin D doing its job.

Reference

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.