It’s easy to take the health of your bones for granted. Many of us think of our skeletal system as being sturdy and ever-present. After all, your bones literally hold you up…day after day after day.
But your bones aren’t any different from the other parts of your body in that they are living tissue that is continually broken down and rebuilt.
During childhood and adolescence, a person’s bones are in a constant state of growth. This is why broken bones heal so quickly when people are young.
But by age 30, most people reach their peak bone mass. After that, while bones do continue to rebuild themselves…this growth often occurs at a slower rate, allowing for a reduction in bone density to get underway. In fact, bone loss can become a problem as early as a person’s 40s.
Which begs the following questions: Why does this happen? And what can you do about it?
Let’s take a look at what causes bone loss, warning signs that you may be losing bone density, and what you can do to reverse or prevent bone loss.
What Causes Bone Loss?
Bone loss occurs when bone is broken down at a faster pace than it is rebuilt.
For women, a drop in estrogen production during menopause can trigger bone loss. And to a lesser degree, the reduction in testosterone production that tends to occur during perimenopause can also negatively impact bone density.
For men, lower testosterone levels after the age of 30 can weaken bones over time. And sometimes lower estrogen levels can come into play, as well.
A lack of calcium and vitamin D combined with a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to bone loss.
If left untreated, the result can be osteopenia (mild bone loss) or osteoporosis (severe bone loss).
Warning Signs of Bone Loss
Bone loss is often referred to as being a silent affliction because it’s virtually undetectable during its early stages (in the absence of a bone density scan).
However, there are some clues that can signal a reduction in bone density or strength:
- A loss of height with age
- A stooped posture, particularly a rounded upper back and/or neck
- Back and joint pain
- Bone fractures, particularly stress fractures or fractures that result from minor falls or accidents
- Dental problems
Does any of this sound familiar? If so, a bone density scan can confirm whether or not bone loss is causing of any of the above.
Six Steps to Healthier Bones
The best time to take care of your bone health is before there’s a problem. Here’s how to stay ahead of bone loss:
- Consume Adequate Amounts of Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium is necessary for building bone, and vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium. Supplementation is often necessary, as most people will struggle to get enough of these nutrients from food alone. Other bone-friendly supplements include magnesium, vitamin K2, and collagen.
- Get Plenty of Weight-Bearing Exercise
Weight-bearing exercise like walking, dancing, and strength training help to stimulate bone growth.
- Limit Alcohol and Don’t Smoke
Smoking weakens bones. And too much alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
- Check Your Medications
Some medications, like prednisone and omeprazole, can negatively impact bone density. Check with your primary care doctor to see if any long-term medications you’re taking can be harmful to your bone health.
- Keep Your Hormones Optimized
Insufficient estrogen and testosterone can negatively impact bone health for both women and men. Properly administered hormone therapy can go a long way toward preventing bone loss. And for those who already have a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis, hormone therapy can actually help to improve done density.
Small Changes for Healthy Bones
It’s never too late to focus on the health of your bones—even if you already have an osteopenia or osteoporosis diagnosis. In particular, hormone therapy can have a significant impact when it comes to preserving the health of your bones. And it can help to improve bone density if bone loss has already occurred.
At Renew Youth, we can help you to preserve the health of your bones through physician-supervised hormone replacement therapy. If you’d like to learn more, call us at 800-859-7511 or use our easy contact form to schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation.