Improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis with lifestyle changes
Stand tall and proud and consider this: In many ways, our bones define who we are. They give us our size and shape, they also keep us moving and upright. We wouldn’t get very far without them – but when was the last time we did our bones a solid favor and investigated our bone mineral density or looked into foods for improving bone density?
Let’s start with what bone density is all about. Bones are living material that repairs and rebuilds itself. Bone density is the amount of minerals such as calcium that are found in a given section of your bones. Continue reading…
Concerned about your bones and ways to keep bones healthy? You should be. The sooner you start the better. As they say, too, it’s never too late. Your risk for osteoporosis, where your bones become fragile and porous, has a lot to do with the bone mass you’ve developed in your 20s and 30s, and what you’ve done to prevent losing that bone mass later on.
Bones, like the rest of our body parts, are living material. They’re in a constant state of remodeling, breaking down and building up. While you wouldn’t want to do that to your kitchen or other home reno more than a couple times in your life (been there?), that’s how our bones work.
Interesting tidbit: Physiologists say we create about 11 skeletons over the full course of our lifetimes. So our bodies work hard to keep our bones healthy. There are simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce bone loss naturally – and it starts with foods for strong bones. Continue reading…
Osteoporosis risk in women is linked to subjective well-being, a factor for higher bone density. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to the loss of bone mineral density, which makes the bones weak and increases the risk of fractures. This condition is often seen among older adults, especially in women. The researchers found that older women with greater life satisfaction had lower rates of osteoporosis, compared to women who reported they were unsatisfied with their lives.
Data was collected from the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention (OSTPRE) Study where researchers investigated various risk factors for osteoporosis and bone fractures. The respondents completed mail-in surveys and also underwent bone density measurements. Life satisfaction was measured using four questions pertaining to participants’ interest in life, and easiness of life, happiness, and loneliness. Based on their replies, the respondents were classified into one of the three groups: the satisfied, the middle group, and the unsatisfied. Continue reading…
In osteoporosis, natural probiotic supplements can help build healthier bones. The findings come from Michigan State University where researchers found that a natural probiotic supplement given to male mice helped promote stronger bones. The same results were not rendered in female mice. Lead author Laura McCabe said, “We know that inflammation in the gut can cause bone loss, though it’s unclear exactly why.”
Probiotics are microorganisms that help balance the immune system. In the study, mice were given Lactobacillus reuteri, which can help lower inflammation but can sometimes have harmful effects on the body’s immune response to infection. Continue reading…
A potential new risk of heart disease has just been discovered. In fact, it has to do with osteoporosis.
If you’re over the age of 50, you’re at higher risk of developing osteoporosis – women and men alike. Osteoporosis is when the bones in our body become weak and brittle and can increase the risk of fractures.
You may not think a bone disease may affect your heart, but it does. This link between the two diseases is according to a new study by the University of Southampton. Continue reading…