HEALTH ADVICE – OSTEOPEROSIS

How to minimise the risk of osteoporosis

There are many ways to help our bodies build strong and healthy bones. Protecting your bones can begin at any age. Here are a number of ways to build and maintain healthy bones:

• Get active - regular weight-bearing activity can help maintain bone strength and reduce the rate of loss of bone mineral. Activities such as brisk walking, climbing stairs or jogging are good examples of weight-bearing exercise.
• Boost calcium intake - calcium is important for healthy bones, and a mature adult skeleton contains about 1,200g. Many foods contain calcium, but the richest and most easily absorbed source is found in dairy products.
• Soak up vitamin D - vitamin D helps our bodies to absorb calcium from the digestive system. Most of the vitamin D we need comes from exposing our skin to sunlight. It's also found in oily fish and fortified margarines. Choose plenty of fruit and vegetables - fruit and vegetables contain vitamin K, which is thought to have a role in building healthy bones.
• Watch your intake of certain foods - animal protein foods, salt, fizzy drinks, alcohol and caffeine can all work to leech minerals out of bones
• Keep a healthy body weight - a very low body weight can affect bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• Stop Smoking - smoking prevents the bone-building cells from working as efficiently as they should.

If you are interested in how we can help you with the above, either come in to see us or telephone on 01535 634727 or email us at info@crosshillspharmacy.co.uk