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Bone Health: The Hard Truth About Brittle Bones
Your skeleton is a lot more active than you think, even after you achieve your adult
height. Your bones change every single day, and in fact, your bone mass is replaced
by new bone about every 12 months. Also known as mineralization, this process
requires minerals such as calcium and magnesium, vitamins, trace elements and
collagen - the “glue” that holds your bones together. In most cases, bones remain
strong as long as this process remains in balance. Unfortunately, our bones fight a never-ending battle against
the effects of hormone changes and general dietary and lifestyle factors - leaving both men and women with an
increased risk of osteoporosis.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that affects over 25
million Americans each year. Almost 80% of osteoporosis is
found to occur in women, although a growing number of older
men are also at risk, specifically with spine and wrist fractures
due to low bone mass. And that’s in addition to over a million
hip fractures associated with osteoporosis each year. These
injuries are truly debilitating, especially when you consider the
estimated financial cost of $10 billion a year!
Poor diet increases risk
As bone-density tests have become more readily available,
another frightening trend has been identified: the diagnosis of
osteoporosis in very young women–even adolescents. Girls and
women with eating disorders as well as thin female athletes,
gymnasts and dancers are at increased risk of osteoporosis.
In fact, the rate of hip fractures has increased significantly
among women in their 40s just over the last 10 years. Many
of these women were at one time chronic “yo-yo” dieters who
focused on weight loss rather than on nutrition. And many of
them limited or completely eliminated dairy products from their
diets just to lower fat intake, thus severely compromising their
calcium intake. As a result, these women never achieved their
maximum bone mass, leaving them to enter menopause, the
time when bone loss is most likely to begin, with an already
compromised bone mass!
Healthy bones begin with childhood
Fortunately, there’s plenty you
can do to build healthy bones
and maintain them as you age. It
begins during childhood, so start
early by encouraging your children
to eat three or four servings of
calcium-rich foods every day, such
as calcium-enriched orange juice,
calcium-fortified soy milk, non-fat
dairy products, cooked leafy-green
vegetables and broccoli. Be sure
to keep your kids away from fast
food and sodas as this type of
diet leaves them at high risk for
osteoporosis later in life.
Healthy diet maintains strong bones
As an adult, you want to do everything you
can to maintain strong bones and make up
for any deficiency you experienced as a child.
To be sure you get the proper amount of
calcium every day, it’s best to add a calcium
supplement to your diet.
Xtra-Cal is also
packed with calcium, in addition to vitamin
C and D, which helps absorb essential
calcium.*
Soy also appears to benefit bones, as it
replaces calcium-depleting animal protein
in the diet and additionally provides a
great source of bone-building isoflavones.
Herbalife products:
are great sources of soy protein–making soy both “heart smart” and “bone smart!”
Exercise for bone health
An active lifestyle has far-reaching benefits
that significantly cut your risk of developing
osteoporosis. Spend 30 minutes walking
briskly, jogging or cross training at the
gym and try to include both weight-bearing
aerobic exercise and weight-training isometric
exercise in your workout. The addition of
weight training can build muscle mass as well
improve flexibility and balance.
Making bone health a priority
It’s up to you to take control of your diet,
increase your activity and curb such lifestyle
habits as alcohol or smoking. With regular
effort, you’ll give yourself the very best chance
of having healthy bones–no bones about it!
| * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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How much calcium do I need each day?
- Young children – 800 mg*
- Adolescents – 1300 mg
- Adult – 1000 mg
- 40+ female with family history of osteoporosis – 1500 mg
- 50+ adults –1200 -1500 mg
* Check with your child’s physician for more age-specific guidelines.
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