Building Strong Bones: Essential Tips for Preventing Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when there is a decrease in bone mineral density and mass. The bones affected by osteoporosis undergo structural changes where the bone walls become thinner, causing the bone to resemble a honeycomb with larger spaces between them. These alterations make the bones weaker and more prone to fractures. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can occur from minor incidents and can cause significant pain and challenges in the recovery process.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis
Several factors contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Sex plays a role, as women are more prone to the disease, especially after menopause. During menopause, a woman's estrogen levels decrease, which can accelerate bone loss. Age is another significant factor, as bone loss occurs more rapidly as we grow older, and new bone growth slows down. Besides, family history can also influence the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. If one of your parents has a history of osteoporosis or hip fracture, your risk may be higher.
On top of that, lifestyle factors, such as low levels of physical activity and prolonged periods of inactivity, contribute to bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Chronic heavy drinking of alcohol and smoking have been identified as significant risk factors for the disease as well.
Practical Tips to Safeguard Your Bones from Osteoporosis
Prevention is key when it comes to osteoporosis. By adopting certain healthy habits, you can help maintain strong and healthy bones.
- Get active/exercise: Stay physically active by engaging in weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, dancing, and strength training can help improve bone density and strengthen muscles, reducing the risk of fractures.
- Quit smoking: Smoking has detrimental effects on bone health and is considered a risk factor for osteoporosis. Quitting smoking, or not starting if you don’t smoke, can significantly benefit your overall bone health.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can impair bone formation and increase the risk of fractures. It's important to drink alcohol in moderation or avoid it altogether.
- Nutrients for bone: Proper nutrition is essential for bone health. Calcium is a well-known nutrient for bone strength, but just calcium alone cannot build bones. Silica also plays a role. Silica, found in foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, improves collagen levels at the root and effectively improves bone density, even among menopausal women!
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LABO Nutrition Bioactive Silica
Silica is a multifunctional trace element in the body, required for the production of structural materials in the body which includes skeleton, connective tissues, blood vessel wall, etc. Silica helps to stimulate bone collagen synthesis and stabilization, which is crucial for increasing bone mineral density, flexibility and strength. It can also activate osteoblast (bone cells) to generate new cells for bone mineralization and suppress bone resorbing osteoclast (bone cells that breaks down old cells).
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Each softgel gives a functional dose of Silica-Rx99® vitamin K2 (MK-7), vitamin D3 and MCT oil. The synergistic effects of multiple potent ingredients in this formula helps boost its bone-building effects and is also beneficial for joints, muscles, blood vessels, digestive tract, and brain, while keeping the skin supple and strengthening both hair and nails.