TION FORWA RD MO
BETTER
TO THE
BONE Good bone health is an essential aspect of good overall health and general wellbeing. And proper nutrition and the right exercise regimen are the keys to keeping your skeleton strong.
With more than 3 million U.S. cases of osteoporosis (a disease that leads to weakened bones) every year, the practices of both exercise and nutrition for your bone health are crucial.
While treatment for this condition can help, osteoporosis is not curable and can last for years or be lifelong – mainly affecting people ages 60 years old and older, although it is common in adults aged 41 to 60. BY KYM KLASS
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BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE
OSTEOPOROSIS IS COMMON IN ADULTS AGED 41 TO 60
BEGIN NOW Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. But it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life. Now is the time to take action: Get enough calcium and Vitamin D, exercise regularly, eat fruits and vegetables, avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake. It is important to maintain bone health because fragile bones, especially our hip bones, can lead to fractures, said Michele Olson, PhD, a senior clinical professor of sport science and physical education at Huntington College. The statistics on the outcome of a fractured hip are “mind-bending and deserve more attention,” she said. The mortality rate is about 20 percent for those who have experienced hip fractures. The near-bed-ridden recovery on those who are older weakens the heart and other vital organs to a substantial degree.
