Health Tip: Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis -- caused when the body can't replace bone calcium as fast as it is lost -- is common as people age, particularly among women.
More than 1.5 million Americans each year sustain a bone fracture related to osteoporosis.
Here are common risk factors for osteoporosis, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
* Getting older.
* Not doing enough weight-bearing exercises.
* Insufficient estrogen levels after menopause.
* Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D in your diet.
* Certain hormonal imbalances.
* Heredity, including being white or Asian.
* Drinking alcohol or smoking.
Health Tip: Weight-Bearing Exercises Strengthen Bones
Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D in your diet are great ways to ward off the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises are another way to help maintain bone health.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends these forms of weight-bearing exercise:
* Brisk walking, jogging or hiking.
* Strenuous yard work such as pushing a lawn mower, or active gardening.
* Sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis or racquetball.
* Climbing the stairs, step aerobics or dancing.
* Activities such as skiing, bowling, skating or karate.
* Use of free weights or weight machines.
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