| p>Osteoporosis is a major health threat for 44 million | | | | treatment. The earlier you begin to build a deposit in |
| Americans every year. 1 out of 2 women and 1 out | | | | your bone bank, the healthier you will be. |
| of 8 men will get osteoporosis. If you're a woman 50 | | | | Your bones are very complex living cells. Bones are |
| or over listen up: ½ of all women in this age | | | | not hollow: unless you look inside the middle of a bird |
| bracket don't even know they have low bone mass. | | | | bone. But if you haven't noticed, we don't fly too |
| Osteoporosis puts people at a higher risk for painful | | | | well. There is blood formation within your bones. Red |
| fractures and decreasing your ability to lead a | | | | cells carry oxygen and white blood cells to defend us |
| functional life. Osteoporosis isn't picky either as it has | | | | against disease. |
| lots of bones to choose from. | | | | 44 million Americans have low bone mass resulting in |
| You have 206 bones in your body. So what do you | | | | debilitating hip fractures and painful wrist fractures. |
| think all these bones do? They aren't just holding you | | | | The best exercises to increase bone density are |
| up. Your bones are living storing materials. Think of | | | | weight bearing and gravity resistant activities. In |
| your bones like a savings account. Bones have a | | | | order to build bone mass you need to overload your |
| storage vault: 95% of your body's calcium is stored in | | | | muscles with weights. Weights are not only great for |
| your bones. You see, your body absolutely NEEDS | | | | changing the architecture of your bones, they also |
| calcium to survive. Calcium is even more important | | | | are readily available and keep you more functional |
| for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and blood | | | | with your activities of daily living. |
| clotting. Calcium actually helps your heart contract | | | | 6 Tips for Healthy Bones: |
| because your heart is a muscle. So given a choice | | | | 1. Do strength training 3 days a week every other |
| between making your heart beat or thinning your | | | | day. |
| bones, your body will withdraw from your bone | | | | 2. Ask your Doctor about a bone density test. |
| account leaving your savings weak, thin and frail. And | | | | 3. Check with your Doctor about medications that |
| that's how you get Osteoporosis. You survive, but | | | | slow bone loss. |
| may be bound to a wheel chair and/or suffer a | | | | 4. Eat a well balanced diet that includes the |
| debilitating fracture. Osteoporosis is the most | | | | recommended daily amount of calcium for your |
| common cause of hip fractures, a tragedy that I am | | | | gender and age. |
| called upon to treat regularly. Hip fractures are painful | | | | 5. Calcium is more readily absorbed with vitamin D. |
| and can result in permanent loss of independence and | | | | Talk to your Doctor about the correct amount. |
| even death. Preventative action should be taken now. | | | | 6. To decrease falls that could lead to fractures, |
| Weight Bearing and resistance exercises play an | | | | practice balance exercises. |
| important role in Osteoporosis prevention and | | | | |