| Diet: | | | | Stomach acid, too little or too much can also |
| Diet is very important. | | | | detrimentally affect calcium levels. |
| Yes calcium is important for building and maintaining | | | | Hormones: |
| bone health, but too much calcium, like from | | | | The role of hormones is an important one. Thyroid |
| supplements or deficiencies in co-factors like | | | | hormones, oestrogen and progesterone |
| magnesium, manganese, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin C | | | | (predominantly female hormones) have an impact on |
| also contribute to osteoporosis. | | | | vitamin D and on osteoblast and osteoclast activity, |
| It is possible to get calcium from food other than | | | | which are involved in or influence the laying down of |
| dairy (and sometimes preferable), for example | | | | bone/calcium. |
| almonds, sesame seeds, beans and green leafy | | | | Medication: |
| vegetables. When choosing greens, kale and broccoli | | | | Certain medication and over the counter drugs can |
| are the best of the green options for people who | | | | leave one vulnerable to poor bone health if overused, |
| have difficulty maintaining adequate calcium levels. | | | | NSAIDS and aspirin are prime candidates, they can |
| Spinach, rhubarb and beet greens contain oxalic acid | | | | reduce magnesium and eventually calcium. |
| which tends to interfere with calcium absorption. | | | | Sedentary Lifestyle: |
| Another important mineral involved in bone health is | | | | Exercise particularly weight bearing exercise needs to |
| phosphorous. Too little or too much phosphorous can | | | | be noted as an important way to improve bone |
| impact negatively on bone health. | | | | density and prevent bone loss, while a sedentary |
| High protein diets can compromise bone density, | | | | lifestyle may actually result in both bone and muscle |
| particularly in fad diets where the nutrient intake is | | | | loss. |
| often imbalanced. | | | | Now that you know some of the main osteoporosis |
| Sugary diets can deplete the body of chromium, | | | | causes you can see how living a healthy lifestyle with |
| which contributes to healthy bones, so it is important | | | | a balanced diet, weight bearing exercise and |
| to monitor intake of refined carbohydrates, sweets | | | | managing stress can be preventative and supportive |
| and treats. | | | | and sometimes even reparative in osteoporosis |
| Stress: | | | | treatment. If you would like more information or help |
| Coffee and tea or caffeine can raise cortisol levels, | | | | managing osteoporosis and preventing fractures |
| this stress hormone has been implicated in poor bone | | | | please contact us. |
| health. | | | | |