Best Fitness Blog

Osteoporosis prevention ... by Karli Taylor

Lately I have been going on and on to my clients about the benefits of exercise- benefits other than what we typically relate to fitness (weight loss, energy increase etc. ) and every time I think that I have covered them all, I remember that there is at least one more. This time I’m talking about a much overlooked benefit of working out- osteoporosis prevention.

Osteoporosis is a disease process characterized by the progressive loss of bone mass which leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. It is a silent disease that has usually progressed significantly by the time it is diagnosed.

Osteoporosis is a major health threat for more than 28 million Americans, especially women, in whom it is four times more common than men. It is the major cause of bone fractures in older people, causing over 1.2 million fractures each year!! To make it seem even more realistic, The National Osteoporosis Foundation says that one in two women and one in eight men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Crazy isn't it?

Osteoporosis is not inevitable, however. It is not something we just develop with age. It is a preventable disease. The increased public awareness, especially among women, about the risks of osteoporosis has made them aware of the preventive measures that can protect them at critical points in life such as the adolescent growth spurt and menopause. The combination of proper nutrition and weight-bearing exercise can maximize peak bone mass and prevent fractures later in life. There is no better example of the health benefits of fitness and nutrition than the role they play in preventing osteoporosis.

Though it is best to start working out early in life, it is never too late to start!

A study conducted by Tufts University showed that postmenopausal women who performed just two 40-minute strength training sessions a week for one year gained one percent in bone density, while women in the sedentary control group lost two percent.

Something to think about right??