Strong On The Inside

OSTEOPOROSIS AFFECTS HALF OF KIWI WOMEN OVER 60. AFTER THE AGE OF 35, BONE LOSS INCREASES AS A NATURAL PART OF THE AGEING PROCESS, BUT DID YOU KNOW IT’S POSSIBLE TO BOOST YOUR BONE STRENGTH? DEBBIE DUNCAN EXPLAINS HOW...

- DEBBIE DUNCAN

If the thought of fracturing a rib when you sneeze fills you with dread, there are simple lifestyle tweaks that can help you build better bones as you age.

BONE BASICS

Did you know poor bone health is a major cause of disability and the underlying cause of death for hundreds of New Zealanders each year? Many of these tragic cases could have been prevented, and that’s what makes taking care of your bones so important. Without healthy, strong bones to support the structure of your body, it becomes difficult, and in some cases impossible, to lead an active life.

Do the right thing

Not smoking, limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake and spending some time in the sun can all help protect your bones. By maintaining healthy bones as you age, the risk of osteopenia (low bone density) and osteoporosis – a condition where bones become weakened and fracture more easily than normal bone – is greatly reduced. How strong your bones are, however, depends on many factors:

» Your genes

» Your hormone levels

» Your diet

» How active you are.

You can’t control all of these factors, however there are plenty of steps you can take to support your bones.

Clever bones

Besides making it possible for your body to move and be active, bones also:

» Protect your internal organs

» House bone marrow where blood cells are made

» Store minerals like calcium.

SKELETON FACTS

» Bone is made up of a protein called collagen, plus calcium, magnesium and other minerals.

» By the time you’re 17 years of age, 90 percent of bone growth is complete, which makes childhood the most important time for bone building.

» Bone tissue is continuously broken down and renewed to keep bones healthy and to repair any minor damage.