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Osteoporosis
Worried about the threat of Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs when your bones lose density and become very weak and susceptible to fracture.
It is particularly common in post-menopausal women, as a result of drops in their estrogen levels. Once osteoporosis has set in, it's impossible to reverse, but with the right treatment and dietary changes, you can slow its progress. So what can you do to ensure you don't fall into a risk category for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is generally diagnosed when your bone mineral density is seen to be at least 2.5 deviations below the normal peak bone mass for someone your age and sex. It is most commonly diagnosed in women. Though the main cause of the onset of this illness tends to be the reduction of estrogen that accompanies menopause, another major contributor is not getting adequate calcium in your daily diet. Other things that may increase your chances of contracting the disease are being a smoker, and taking particular kinds of medications.
The best way to protect against the onset of this illness is to make sure your diet is rich in sources of calcium. Nutritionists recommend 2-3 servings of dairy products per day, and more than this if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Aside from dairy products, calcium can also be found in green, leafy vegetables, like spinach or kale. In addition to increasing your calcium intake, it's important to get plenty of exercise. Exercise, particularly weight bearing exercise such as weight lifting or swimming, contributes to greater bone density. This is particularly important for women to remember, as women often think of weight training as being a male exercise.
For additional information about preventing or treating this illness, consult your doctor.
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