How to prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis: causes and different types
The term osteoporosis refers to a metabolic bone disease characterized by a significant reduction of the mineral component and a deterioration of the structure of the bone tissue. Osteoporosis causes fragility of the skeletal system and literally porous and fragile bones that tend to fracture more easily. This pathology is more frequent in women than in men: in Italy it affects one in 3 women after age 50 (and one man over 5 in the same age group).
We can distinguish different types of osteoporosis, based on the triggered factors that generate it. There is talk of postmenopausal osteoporosis which appears in the first 20 years after menopause. It is a condition closely linked to the reduction of estrogen that affects the female body when menstruation stops and mainly affects the vertebrae. With senile osteoporosis, on the other hand, we mean the bone fragility that affects both sexes in a more advanced age. It affects the spine and in particular the long bones of the body, such as the femur and pelvis. Finally, with juvenile osteoporosis it usually indicates a pathology caused by a primitive demineralization of the bone. This type of osteoporosis, as the name suggests, mainly affects young adults and causes pain in the back and limbs, difficulty walking and frequent fractures.
Good habits to prevent osteoporosis
Lifestyle plays a decisive role in the prevention of osteoporosis. Physical activity plays a very important role not only in young subjects but also in those of more advanced age as well as the regular intake of calcium and vitamin D which helps to properly absorb the calcium that is ingested.
Calcium and vitamin D against osteoporosis
It is important to get enough calcium for the well-being of our body. In fact, when the calcium taken is not enough, the body draws the calcium it needs from the bones and in the long run, the bones weaken. On average, adults over 60 must take 1200 mg of calcium per day: that's not cheap at all, right? However, taking calcium in the right quantity is not enough: Vitamin D is essential for its correct assimilation. This vitamin is produced by the skin thanks to the action of the sun's rays, activates the calcium transport routes and makes it pass from the intestine to the stream. blood. The use (of course not negligible!) Of sun protection creams inhibits the synthesis of vitamin D. Furthermore, the presence of vitamin D naturally decreases in our body as we age, inevitably favoring bone fragility. good prevention strategy against osteroporosis:
optimize the intake of vitamin D which allows you to assimilate calcium correctly.
Diet and exercise for a life of well-being!
Bone problems increase in severely overweight or obese subjects, this is because our skeleton is loaded with excessive weight. As well as diabetes and other diseases they can create complications for the health of our bones. In short, being fit is as essential as adopting a healthy lifestyle and a varied and healthy diet is essential to keep osteoporosis at bay. To this we must of course add a little physical activity that gives our body the right mobility and avoids the risk of falls even in the elderly.
Nothing strenuous: half an hour of walking a day is enough to do something useful and precious for bone health!
