Your bones are responsible for providing structure & support for your body. They protect your vital organs and act as attachment sites for muscles that allow the body to move. Bones also store minerals like phosphorus and calcium and release them into the body when they are needed.

There are a multitude of factors that can cause bones to become weak and brittle. Weak and brittle bones can lead to breaks, fractures, and long-term health issues.

Tips to Keep Your Bones Healthy

• Diet: Osteoporosis or bone-density loss can occur if your diet is low in calcium and vitamin D.
• Physical Activity: Like muscle strength, bones require physical activity to maintain strength, density, and resilience.
• Body Weight: When it comes to bone health, maintaining a healthy body weight is essential. If you are underweight, you may increase your risk of fractures and bone loss as you continue to age.
• Tobacco and Alcohol Use: Tobacco use can reduce bone mass. This may increase your chances of experiencing fractures and breaks. Heavy alcohol consumption can also have the same effects on bone density.

Factors You Cannot Control:

• Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. This is because women have smaller bones and lose bone density more rapidly than men due to hormone changes that occur during menopause.
• Age: Your bones gradually become thinner and weaker as you age. Your body may begin to absorb calcium and phosphates from your bones rather than storing them there. Also, hormonal changes such as drops in estrogen and testosterone levels can potentially cause bone loss.
• Family History: Having an immediate family member who has broken a bone or has osteoporosis may also increase your risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if one of your parents has experienced a broken bone, you may need to be screened earlier on for osteoporosis.

Speak with an Orthopedic Specialist Today

Make an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists today to start your healing journey. OrthoArizona has nearly two dozen offices throughout the Valley, each focused on quality care, compassion, and excellent customer service. Since 1994, OrthoArizona has been dedicated to compassionate care of the highest quality.

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.