November is National Osteoporosis Month

So, let's talk about it!  What can be done to treat it, and more importantly what should be done to prevent it.  Here are some facts that everyone should know.

1. Osteoporosis in defined as a condition that causes bones to become thin and porous, decreasing bone strength and leading to increased risk of breaking a bone.
   
2.  It is not a women’s only club.   Fractures caused by osteoporosis occur in 1 in 3 women, but also in 1 in 5 men.   Women do have a higher incidence on osteoporosis than men due to a reduction in estrogen during menopause.  Women start with smaller and thinner bones.
   
3. You won’t know that you have it.   There are no symptoms to osteoporosis, and many people do not know that they have it until a bone fractures.  Osteoporosis Canada estimates that 80% of people with fractures caused by osteoporosis are not treated for the disorder.
4. Get the kids off the couch. Maximum bone density is achieved at an early age (16- 20 for women, 20-25 for men).  And men and women alike start to lose bone mass in their 30s.  Bone density is increased with weight bearing exercises like walking, jogging and running.   Another great reason to make sure that your kids are getting their recommended 1 hour of exercise per day.
   
5.  Stay off the couch as adults.  Weight bearing exercise (jogging, walking, running) and resistance exercises (weights, bands, kettle bells) have been shown to slow bone density loss.   So, the more you move and stress your bones, the less you will lose.
   
6. Eat right.    The food that we eat can play a large part in preventing and treating Osteoporosis.   Foods that are rich in Vitamin D, calcium and other healthy bone nutrients are available through a healthy diet.
   

If you have osteoporosis or osteopenia and are not sure where to go for help, reach out to any of our associates for advice.   We can look at your diet, create and exercise class and get you the on the right path to health.   Remember we are here to help.
 
The statistics in this article were found on the Osteoporosis Canada website.   For more information please follow this link:  https://osteoporosis.ca/