Osteoporosis/Bone Health

Your bones support your entire body. They protect your brain, heart, organs, and allow you to move. They also store essential minerals and release them when your body needs them. It is important to take care of your bones so that they can continue to take care of you!

There are many risk factors for osteoporosis in aging adults. While some risk factors are out of our control, there are many risk factors that are preventable.

Risks you can control:

• Diet – Maintaining a healthy diet with calcium and vitamin D
• Physical Activity – Exercise can help strengthen your bones
• Body Weight – Being underweight, or malnourished, increases your risk for osteoporosis
• Smoking
• Alcohol Intake
• Medications – Some medications can cause bone loss when taken long term

Risks you can’t control:

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Family history

It is never too late to start taking care of your bones! Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional about your preventable risk factors for osteoporosis.