Aging is certainly not the sole factor responsible for raising your osteoporosis risk. Several conditions are known to trigger or increase the chances of fractures and bone loss even in young people. It is best to follow the doctor’s recommendations and consume Vitamin D and Calcium, some medication, and take some preventive measures.
As per http://www.iofbonehealth.org, “Osteoporosis, which literally means porous bone, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs silently and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs.”
As pointed by Mayo Clinic, your bones would become so brittle that even mild stress or fall could lead to a fracture. Things, like coughing, or bending over, could cause a fracture. In this context, you must know that osteoporosis-associated fractures generally occur in the spine, wrist, and hip. We know that certain diseases may increase your risks of developing osteoporosis.
Autoimmune Disorders
If you are suffering from an autoimmune disease, you could be susceptible to bone loss due to certain chronic inflammatory issues. Moreover, doctors suggest steroid medications for treating autoimmune disorders. These steroid medications are effective in reducing inflammation but we know that steroids could trigger the weakening of bones.
In this context, you must note that rheumatoid arthritis is supposed to be an autoimmune disease that affects your joints and it has a strong connection with osteoporosis. The disease is known to cause a lot of pain and even loss of movement to a certain extent. As patients are not that active, their bones tend to become weak. Arthritis patients must have medications for osteoporosis, Vitamin D, and even calcium.
Some other autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis and lupus that are known to increase osteoporosis risks.
Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
People suffering from Type1 & Type 2 Diabetes are having a relatively higher risk of getting fractures. This has to do with reduced bone quality among diabetic patients. Diabetics are prone to fractures due to low bone density but that is not as low as any non-diabetic person. Bones are damaged because of chronic high levels of blood sugar. As per some research findings, because of diabetes, bone rebuilding is actually suppressed.
Thyroid Disorders
Hyperthyroidism is the condition when your gland produces an excess of thyroid hormone. Its direct consequences are fragile bones and weakened muscles. A rarer but well-known condition is hyperparathyroidism, caused by the extraneous activity of the four parathyroid glands located behind your thyroids. This would cause heightened extraction of calcium from bones and, in turn, bone loss. It would manifest itself as a high calcium level on a routine blood test, but can also have secondary symptoms like irritability, tiredness, depression, and even kidney stones. If the hyperactive glands are removed, your bones will be able to recover to an extent over time.
Preventive Foods
Consuming Vitamin D and calcium-rich foods seem to be an effective way of preventing osteoporosis. Here are some super-foods that promote and boost overall bone health.
Milk: The superstar of all osteoporosis preventive foods is nothing but milk. We know that milk is full of calcium that helps in fortifying your bones. Calcium is a critical nutrient for creating healthy bones. You must choose to skim milk or low-fat milk.
Cheese & Yogurt: These are calcium-rich foods too. You must try and consume three servings comprising dairy products every day.
Salmon: You must be already aware of the fact that salmon is best for strengthening bones. Salmon is packed with Vitamin D, a fantastic nutrient that assists the body to effectively absorb calcium and process it. Other food items packed with Vitamin D are mushrooms, egg yolks, and even the delicious tuna. Try consuming a variety of dishes that are loaded with vitamin D every single day.
Almonds: Almonds are great for boosting bone health. They contain loads of magnesium, calcium, and protein. All these nutrients are essential for building robust and healthy bones.
Conclusion
Consume regularly all the osteoporosis preventive foods to steer clear of this painful and debilitating disease. You must essentially consume a handful of almonds, sunflower seeds, or pistachios daily for maintaining a fit and active lifestyle and keeping osteoporosis at bay.