Essential Takeaways
- Osteoporosis condition occurs when the body reabsorbs more bone tissue and produces less to replace it. In other words, your bones become weak and brittle and more prone to fracture.
- Know how it can prevented by adopting some healthy lifestyle choices for example, eat a healthy diet rich in vitamin D, calcium, start exercise, and reduce smoking and alcohol consumption.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis condition occurs when the body reabsorbs more bone tissue and produces less to replace it. In other words, your bones become weak and brittle and more prone to fracture. This process isn't the only cause of osteoporosis; there are other factors that contribute to and aggravate the start of the disease.
What Are The Causes Of Osteoporosis?
Diet
Your diet plays a major role in the growth and development of your bones. Some foods and nutrients make the bones healthy and strong while others don't. Here are some nutrients that are important for healthy bones:
- Calcium: The most important mineral necessary for the growth and maintenance of bones.
- Vitamin D: The deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to weak bones and increased bone loss. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
- Other Important Vitamins and Minerals The other important minerals which support bone health include magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin K, vitamin B, and vitamin B12.
Exercise
Exercise helps to build strong bones and provide defense against the condition of osteoporosis. So if you do not work out, your bones are likely weaker than they should be.
Low Sex Hormones
Postmenopause women are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis due to low estrogen levels in their bodies. Estrogen is important because it supports osteoblasts, a bone producing cells, and without estrogen, osteoblasts can't produce enough new bone. In men, bone health depends on testosterone levels and when it drops, it can cause bone loss.
Medical Conditions
- Kidney disease: This condition causes decreased activation of vitamin D
- Parathyroid and Thyroid problems: The excess amount of parathyroid hormone causes Hyperparathyroidism, which in turn cause osteoporosis because the excess hormone extracts calcium from your bones.
- Intestinal problems: inflammatory bowel disease and Celiac disease, for example, can interfere with the absorption of calcium and vitamin D in the body.
Smoking And Drinking
Smoking negatively impacts your body's ability to effectively use calcium and reduces estrogen ability to protect bones. The excessive consumption of alcohol also makes it more difficult for your body to use calcium.
How To Prevent Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can be prevented by adopting some healthy lifestyle choices for example, eat a healthy diet rich in vitamin D, calcium, start exercise, and reduce smoking and alcohol consumption. These preventative measures will significantly increase your chances of maintaining strong, healthy bones.
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Essential Takeaways
- Osteoporosis condition occurs when the body reabsorbs more bone tissue and produces less to replace it. In other words, your bones become weak and brittle and more prone to fracture.
- Know how it can prevented by adopting some healthy lifestyle choices for example, eat a healthy diet rich in vitamin D, calcium, start exercise, and reduce smoking and alcohol consumption.