How can a person reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis?
People who spend a lot of time sitting have a higher risk of osteoporosis than do those who are more active. Any weight-bearing exercise and activities that promote balance and good posture are beneficial for your bones, but walking, running, jumping, dancing and weightlifting seem particularly helpful.
4 Exercises You Should AVOID For Osteoporosis Spinal Fracture
40 related questions found
What is the best exercise to prevent osteoporosis?
Examples include walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, elliptical training machines, stair climbing and gardening. These types of exercise work directly on the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine to slow mineral loss. They also provide cardiovascular benefits, which boost heart and circulatory system health.
These foods are generally lower in calories and fat, and they are high in fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. They also contain phytochemicals, which are substances that can protect against various diseases, including osteoporosis.
The short answer is no, osteoporosis cannot be completely reversed and is not considered curable, but there are a number of health and lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve bone loss. Your provider may also prescribe you medications to help rebuild and slow down bone loss.
Studies have shown that people reversed osteoporosis naturally when they: Followed a therapeutic exercise program with adequate levels of weight bearing. Exercised over many years. Were consistent in their exercise routine.
Eating foods that have a lot of salt (sodium) causes your body to lose calcium and can lead to bone loss. Try to limit the amount of processed foods, canned foods and salt added to the foods you eat each day. To learn if a food is high in sodium, look at the Nutrition Facts label.
Potassium-rich foods such as bananas, tomatoes and orange juice could help fight osteoporosis in post-menopausal women by helping to reduce the level of calcium losses, report researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).
Excessive consumption of soft drinks can also reduce the intake of healthy drinks such as milk, leading to a lower intake of trace elements such as calcium and magnesium, which can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fracture [15,16].
What vitamins are you lacking if you have osteoporosis?
Calcium and Vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D are essential to building strong, dense bones when you're young and to keeping them strong and healthy as you age. The information included here will help you learn all about calcium and vitamin D – the two most important nutrients for bone health.
You can reverse the loss of bone density with medical therapies that may slow, maintain, or even increase your bone density. Your doctor may recommend taking certain medications to prevent or treat bone loss, and some may even help you rebuild bone density.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, drinking more than three cups of caffeinated coffee or tea a day “may decrease calcium absorption and contribute to bone loss.” Restrict your intake to no more than three cups per day. Herbal teas typically do not contain caffeine, so feel free to indulge.
Certain food and drinks can help prevent bone loss, and according to Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook, and a member of our medical expert board, cow's milk is the number one drink for preventing bone loss.
