World Osteoporosis Day takes place on October 20th every year to raise global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
With an ageing population and longer life expectancies, osteoporosis is increasingly becoming a global health concern.
Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile. So much so that even a minor fall, bump, cough or sneeze can cause a bone to break.
Half of women and one in five men aged over 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.¹
Fractures due to osteoporosis result in vast socioeconomic costs to both society and healthcare systems, estimated at around £4.5 billion per year.² Yet, many of them could be prevented with earlier identification and intervention.
We can’t ignore the damaging impact osteoporosis has on women’s lives
Up to 80% of us will experience osteoporosis in our lifetimes
To protect patients and healthcare providers, we need to focus on preventing the causes of osteoporosis, not treating the outcomes
There are lots of everyday changes you can make to improve your bone health:
Maintain a regular exercise regime to keep your bones and muscles moving.
Anything weight-bearing, such as walking, dancing, stair climbing and gardening, works directly on the bones in the legs, hips and lower spine to slow bone loss.
Ensure your diet is well rounded and rich in bone-boosting nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and protein.
Over 99% of the body’s calcium is found in bones and teeth, where it provides strength and structure.³ Not getting enough calcium in your diet means less is available for your bones. Overtime, this will decrease bone density.
Rich sources of calcium include dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans, soy and certain vegetables such as leafy greens, artichoke and rhubarb. Fortified juices and nut milks also have extra calcium added to them.
Vitamin D helps to absorb and regulate levels of calcium. Safe sun exposure throughout the summer months will help you to get enough vitamin D, or you can take vitamin D supplements and eat fortified foods to top it up.
Proteins are the building blocks of life, helping to build and repair bones and muscles. To support the body’s needs, go for a diet full of healthy sources of protein, such as dairy products, fish, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and asparagus.
Avoiding harmful lifestyle habits can keep your bones healthy and strong.
Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can slow down bone-building cells and decrease the amount of calcium absorbed in the body, causing your bones to weaken.
Alcohol can also affect your coordination and balance, making you more likely to fall and break a bone.
Maintaining a healthy weight can have a protective effect on bone. A low body weight often indicates less bone tissue, and you’re likely to have less fat around the hips to cushion the impact of a fall.
Understanding your risk for osteoporosis early can help you identify if there’s anything you can change. It’s never too late to take action to look after your bones, even after a diagnosis.
Risk factors include:
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has a risk checker on their website, which gives you a personalised report on your bone health in just five minutes. Check it out here.
If you think you might be at risk of osteoporosis, speak to your GP or another relevant healthcare professional. They can refer you for a DEXA scan to measure your bone density.
If you are at high risk of fracture, or have already broken a bone, you will likely be offered medication to treat osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Common medications such as bisphosphonates can slow the rate of bone loss, but they usually take a long time to work, and come with a number of unpleasant side effects. Because of this, some people are put off taking them.⁴
Luckily, there are natural alternatives available.
Marodyne LiV is medically-certified to combat osteoporosis and osteopenia, and you don’t have to have already broken a bone to start using it.
Backed by decades of research, the device emits Low-intensity Vibration to safely stimulate bone-building cells to regrow bone. What’s more, it has absolutely no known side effects or contraindications.
Also, because you only have to use it for 10 minutes a day, it slots perfectly into even the busiest of schedules.
Over 35 years of scientific research have shown the benefits of Low-intensity Vibration therapy for your bone health.
Marodyne LiV is certified to help stimulate new bone production and combat osteoporosis.
