Every Woman Should Know This About Bone Health

Throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, bones constantly absorb nutrients and minerals to build up mass, density, and strength. They also break down old bone material daily and replace it with new bone. 

However, once you hit age 30, you reach peak bone mass, meaning your bones won’t gain any more density or strength. Not to mention, your body stops producing new bone material fast enough to replace what’s being broken down.

If you don’t proactively build up bone mass early in life, you could run the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that weakens your bones and causes them to break easily.

Because of this, it’s incredibly important to do everything you can to promote optimal bone health, especially since women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis as they age. 

Our team led by Karen Mass, MD, FACOG, at Women’s Specialty Care in Lake Forest and Grayslake, Illinois, is passionate about helping women improve their bone health. So, in this month’s blog, we’ve highlighted what you need to know about your risk for osteoporosis and how to keep your bones as healthy and strong as possible. 

Why are women prone to osteoporosis?

Studies tell us that osteoporosis affects one in five men compared to one in two women. But why is this? Two of the main reasons are that female bones are much smaller and less dense than male bones to begin with, and that the decrease in bone-strength-boosting estrogen levels after menopause leads to even more fragile bones. 

Your chance of developing osteoporosis might be even higher if you have any of the following risk factors:

• A diet low in calcium and vitamin D
• Eating disorders such as anorexia
• Family history of osteoporosis 
• Lack of regular exercise
• Use of tobacco or excessive alcohol intake

In addition, some medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, endometriosis, diabetes, premature ovarian failure, celiac disease, and depression can also raise your risk of developing brittle bones. 

How to keep your bones healthy and strong

Even if you have a lot of risk factors for osteoporosis, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll develop the condition. There are still plenty of things you can do to strengthen your bones and keep them from losing density. Let’s look at a few good places to start:

Examine your diet 

Prioritizing nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables along with calcium-rich foods can give your bones vital vitamins and minerals they need to maintain optimal strength and density. Consider taking a dietary supplement if you aren’t able to get enough through what you eat and drink throughout the day. 

Move your body

Exercise, especially strength training, has been shown to boost the health of your bones and slow down bone loss. While any exercise is good for your bones, try to add in weight lifting and strength training a few days a week for optimal results. 

Drop unhealthy habits

Smoking cigarettes and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are often associated with conditions such as lung cancer and liver failure; however, both of these unhealthy habits can also affect your bone health and keep your body from absorbing calcium properly. 

To learn more about how to protect your bones from osteoporosis, schedule an appointment with our team by calling your nearest office location or using our online booking feature today.