Did you know that there is a terrible disease that silently afflicts Millions of people every year? I know, there are many. There are so many that we are bombarded with information daily on the news, in the newspaper, and in magazines articles.
As a child my Mom always told me to drink my milk. Now I know why. She was trying to make sure that we got plenty of calcium. It was her mantra. Drink your milk and take your vitamins. As a child these things seem very feudal. They are certainly not important to you. Hopefully, your parents made you do it anyway.
After reading a lot of information on the National Osteoporosis Foundation website I have learned that these habits and concerns may save me from a lot of pain and difficulty in my older years. I have also learned that I am still at risk of catching this horrible disease.
What is Osteoporosis?
It is a disease that is caused by the gradual breakdown and loss of bone mass. It is caused by poor nutrition, lack of certain types of exercise, and vitamins. It is not something that can be prevented on a short term basis. There are no symptoms, and you cannot just get extra sleep every once in a while to escape its temporary discomfort.
To prevent this disease you have to establish a good healthy lifestyle. You have to make sure that you eat a balanced diet, get plenty of exercise, and yes, even sun exposure. Yes, the sun can be good for you. Like anything else in moderation.
The sun is important because it can help your body produce vitamin D which is essential in the absorption of calcium. Calcium is the primary key to maintaining healthy bones. Recent studies have focused even more in depth about the functions of Vitamin D2 and D3. These two ingredients combined will assist you in not developing osteoporosis. They won't alone prevent it.
I learned that I am a strong candidate for getting osteoporosis. I have a lot of permanent injuries to my skeletal structure. I had in the past consumed large quantities of alcohol on a daily basis. I have had frequent deficiencies in estrogen, I am genetically predisposed to it, and I am thin with a small frame.
The things that I have going for me is that I tend to have a healthy diet, I exercise on a regular basis, I eat plenty of dark leafy greens and dairy products, which tend to be high in calcium, and I don't take long term medications and I try to get at least 15 to 20 minutes of sun every day.
These things are going to help me when I get older. The thing that will help me the most is education, and prevention. I now have a better idea of how I can prevent this from being my future. With some research and some small lifestyle changes, so can you.
