Osteoporosis Awareness Month

May is recognized as National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. To celebrate bone health, learn more about this common disease and what you can do to prevent it.  

As men and women become older, their bones lose mass and strength due to a decline in the body’s bone-rebuilding process. The good news is there are multiple steps you can take to help strengthen your bones and reduce the threat of pain or injury. 

Jump and stomp 

Remember throwing a fit as a child? It turns out it was actually good for you! Moderate stress on the bones causes them to become denser and stronger. 

Stock up on bone-building foods 

Drinking milk is an obvious way to consume calcium, but there are plenty of other calcium-rich foods that have less fat. Yogurt, cottage cheese and fish are great for adding calcium into your diet. Increase your intake of vegetables — specifically leafy greens like kale, collards, spinach and bok choy — to promote healthy bones. Prunes and plums are also known to increase bone density. 

Get some sun 

Despite the warnings we hear to avoid the sun’s rays, sunlight remains an effective way to take in vitamin D, a valuable resource for maintaining bone health. This vitamin helps to improve the absorption of calcium and enhances muscle function.