October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day, a day when people around the world celebrate the amazing things their bones do for them throughout their lives, and hopefully, stop to think about how they can take better care of their bones so their bones can always take good care of them.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation says that half of all women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. As for men, that number is 1 in 4.
What to do?
First, get a bone density test by age 60, and certainly if you’re around 50 and broke a bone.
Second, make a few small changes in your lifestyle. Opt for calcium-rich foods, do strength-training a few times a week, and take a vitamin D supplement (I take 2,000 every day). Keep alcohol at a minimum and definitely don’t smoke.
Third, consider doing an exercise that helps keep bones in hips, legs and other parts of the lower body strong and lean and dense. By doing this one thing I’ve helped keep my bones strong every since I got a diagnosis of low bone density when I was 50.
Want to know what “this one thing” is? Take a look at this short video which was created in partnership with HealthyWomen.org (where I serve as Ambassador) and the National Osteoporosis Foundation (where I am a trustee as well as the Bone Health Ambassador).
Having strong bones as we age is crucial to living a good life and to maintaining independence and mobility. Plain and simple.
So, while I encourage you to create a plan for strong bones starting today — World Osteoporosis Day — I also hope you’ll think about your hard-working bones . . . all year long!
Here’s the super-short video!
