The Importance Of Bone Health In Older Women

Bones are what make up the structure of your body and gives you the ability to move. Bones also protect some of the most important parts of your body like your brain and heart. They provide a protective barrier around them to prevent life-threatening injuries. Calcium and phosphorous are stored in bones, and they use these minerals to keep strong and healthy.

As you get older, your bones become more fragile and weaken over time. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age which can lead to bones becoming so brittle, that even slight movements can cause fractures.  It is important to continue to prioritise your bone health as you age to decrease your risk of osteoporosis. If you ever go for a women’s full health check, bone health may be a topic that is discussed as it is vital to live a full, healthy life for as long as possible.

Here are ways you can keep your bones strong and healthy for as long as possible:

Consume Enough Calcium

You should ensure that you are consuming enough calcium per day to keep your bones strong. On average, an adult should be consuming around 1,000mg per day, and in women over the age of 50, this increases to 1200mg. Here are some sources of calcium:

  • Cow, goat, or sheep milk
  • Soy milk
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Almonds
  • Salmon

Keep Physically Active

Keeping physically active and partaking in weekly exercise can strengthen bones. Exercises such as walking, jogging, tennis, and dancing can all contribute to healthy bones. It is always important to keep your body movement to improve your overall health, but even more so if you do suffer from osteoporosis or are in a high-risk category. Exercising can build bones and muscle to increase strength and overall quality of life.

Eliminate Or Reduce Tobacco And Alcohol Consumption

It has been proven that the use of tobacco significantly weakens bone strength over time, and daily alcohol consumption can increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially in older women. Smoking is a habit that increases your risk of many serious health problems like cancer. Eliminating this, can significantly improve your overall health and when you start to replace this habit with healthier habits, you can start to see and feel huge changes in your body.

Check Your Hormone Levels

Be sure to check your hormone levels often, especially if you are an older woman who is going through menopause. Hormones can have a significant impact on the health of your bones, especially if you have excessive thyroid hormones. High thyroid levels raise the risk of bone fragility and loss. Menopause can also play a role in developing weak bones and bone loss due to the decreasing levels of oestrogen. It is important to have your hormone levels checked to prevent any issues from arising.

Final Words

Acquiring a women’s full health check is a great way of identifying any potential health issues that may be present in your body or perhaps has the ability to arise further down the line. Bone health is an extremely important factor in looking after your body for as long as possible, and in order to stay active, flexible, and mobile, your body will require strong bones.