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Osteoporosis: Preventive Measures Men Should Take
In reality, osteoporosis can affect both men and women. However, the condition is more frequent and more severe in women because the condition is compounded by their monthly menstrual flow. Because calcium is an essential element in good bone health, calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. A man can become calcium deficient because of his lifestyle. Excessive alcohol intake and smoking are two factors that can cause your calcium level to go down. So are there things that men can do to prevent from being affected by osteoporosis? Here are some of these ways:
- Take plenty of vitamin C and D supplements. Now you might ask "I thought calcium is essential to bone health, but why are you talking about vitamin C and D now?" Well, the answer is, even if you are taking plenty of calcium from foods and food supplements, much of it will end up in waste if it is not absorbed by the body. This is where vitamins C and D are important because they help your bones absorb iron faster. Vitamin C is best taken from citrus fruits, while the best source for vitamin D is free: fresh sunshine early in the morning.
- Exercise. Bone health is directly linked to the amount of exercise it gets. Jogging in the morning or even simply brisk walking will do a lot to improve your bone's health. Lifting weights is also a good way to keep your bones in good health. For safe exercising, it is best to consult a fitness expert for recommendations on the best forms of exercise that best fits your needs and your age.
- Drinking milk that is rich in calcium is also a good way to prevent being affected by osteoporosis. Recently, there have been many brands of milk that are fortified with calcium to make them become better agents in keeping osteoporosis at bay. Make sure to always select this from your grocery store—the fresher, the better. Aside from milk, other dairy products such as cheese are also good for the bones.
- While men do not experience the bone deterioration that women suffer from when they reach 50, nonetheless, there is some form of bone atrophy among men when they reach this age. One factor for this is a result of low testosterone. This is why it is important to undergo a test to determine one's testosterone production at this age.
- Another test that is used to measure bone density is a test called bone mineral density or BMD. This is attest that will determine whether the bones are at risk for developing osteoporosis. The advantage of this examination is that it is quick, painless, and non-invasive, which is precisely the type of examination that fits men who are at least 50 years or older. BMD can be done anytime although it is very important to have one after suffering from an injury to the bone such as fracture. Even the occasional muscle pain must also be considered as a sign of having bone problems.
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MEN'S HEALTH
