Taking care of your bone health now will help you to live a longer, happier life. If you have kids, their future depends on helping to give them the best start in terms of the health of their bones. Here’s what to do to make sure that everyone is healthy for longer…
Image sourceEating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the best ways you can protect the health of your bones. Calcium is a vital component for bones, and you can find it in green leafy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and okra. You can also get calcium from soya beans, sardines and pilchards. Dairy products are rich in this vital nutrient, so make sure you drink milk, and eat yoghurts and cheese. Growing children are especially in need of a healthy amount of dairy products in their diet – what you give them between now and the age of eighteen will determine their bone health for life. Find out here why you should all be eating more fruit.
Get plenty of Vitamin D by spending at least a portion of every day outside. Even during the winter months, you can still get this important vitamin by being outdoors for a few minutes every day. As well as protecting your bones, making sure that you get enough Vitamin D from sunlight can also mean that you are less likely to suffer from a low mood or depression. If you’re concerned that you and the kids aren’t getting enough, top up your supplies by eating foods like oily fish such as salmon or mackerel, eggs and breakfast cereals that have been fortified with Vitamin D.
Exercise is vital for looking after your bones. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly have greater bone density than those who don’t. Go for a walk or jog every day, or take the kids to the park and throw a ball around. It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you are making your bones, muscles and joints work. Keep moving now, and you’ll still be active well into your old age.
Image sourceAchieving a healthy weight means that you are not subjecting your bones to any undue pressure. Being overweight puts a huge strain on the bones and joints, which means that you will be much more likely to suffer fractures or issues like arthritis – especially later in life. Take action to lose the flab, and your body will thank you for it in the future.
Be aware of risk factors for bone thinning or osteoporosis. These include a family history of problems with bone health, premature menopause, and having a history of eating disorders. If you are in any doubt of your risk, or of the current condition of your bones, get advice from fingerlakesorthopedics.com so that you can take action.
Don’t wait until you encounter problems before taking steps to protect your bones. Doing all the right things now, including having a good diet and fitness regime and making sure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need, will save you a lot of hassle and maybe even pain in the future.
