| How many of us give even a second | | | | and most dense by age 30, after which |
| thought to the mechanisms involved every | | | | the rate of bone loss begins to slowly |
| time we walk, bend, stretch or turn? | | | | or rapidly exceed the rate of bone |
| Doing any kind of physical activity | | | | formation. When bone loss occurs too |
| comes so naturally to most of us that we | | | | rapidly and far exceeds the rate of new |
| tend to take our musculoskeletal system | | | | bone formation and replacement, the |
| completely for granted. The | | | | bones become increasingly fragile and |
| musculoskeletal system, which includes | | | | prone to breakage, leading to |
| the joints and bones along with the | | | | Osteoporosis, which is the most common |
| surrounding soft tissues, is what keep | | | | of all bone diseases. |
| us supple, agile and moving. The problem | | | | Taking good care of your bones and |
| with taking it for granted and not | | | | joints |
| giving it the care and attention it | | | | Giving your bones and joints the |
| deserves is that the bones, joints and | | | | nourishment they need in early days is |
| tissue degenerate slowly over time and | | | | vital for setting the stage for healthy |
| we become aware of the deterioration | | | | bones and joints later on in life. |
| only when it is much too late. | | | | Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital |
| Going by current statistics, it is | | | | for improving your bone density and |
| estimated that by 2050 almost 50% of | | | | slowing down the rate of bone loss. |
| Americans over the age of 50 are likely | | | | Maintain a healthy diet, which includes |
| to suffer from problems associated with | | | | an increased take of calcium; a major |
| the bones and joints; unless | | | | component of the bone. Dairy products; |
| precautionary measures are taken. In | | | | green, leafy vegetables; nuts and |
| fact, musculoskeletal deterioration is | | | | legumes are good sources of dietary |
| the most common cause of severe physical | | | | calcium. Supplement your diet with |
| disability and long-term pain right | | | | Vitamin D, magnesium, trace minerals and |
| across the world. The global | | | | phosphorous; all of which are essential |
| ramifications are so persistent and | | | | for complete bone nourishment. |
| all-encompassing, that 2002 through to | | | | Exercise regularly. It strengthens the |
| 2011 has been declared 'the bone and | | | | muscles and improves mobility and |
| joint decade'. | | | | flexibility of the joints. Weight |
| Contrary to popular misconception, bones | | | | bearing exercises, including biking, |
| are actually living, growing tissues and | | | | walking, weight lifting and aerobics |
| not just some dry, brittle material that | | | | help build muscle and strengthen the |
| belong to a skeleton. They require | | | | bones. |
| continuous care and nourishment to keep | | | | If you are overweight, take steps to |
| them in optimum working condition. Right | | | | lose that excess weight. When you are |
| through our lives, our bones undergo a | | | | overweight, there is excessive pressure |
| constant remodeling process, in which | | | | on your weight-bearing joints, which |
| new bone tissue replaces the old tissue | | | | include the knees, hips and back. |
| that is broken down or lost. The rate at | | | | Quit smoking completely and reduce your |
| which this happens depends on your age. | | | | consumption of caffeine and alcohol. All |
| From birth till your twenties, the rate | | | | three work to lower the levels of |
| of new bone formation exceeds the rate | | | | calcium in the body and impede bone |
| of bone loss. Bones are at their largest | | | | formation. |