Preventative Measures

• Quit smoking – long term smoking contributes to some of the worst cases of osteoporosis as it reduces bone mass.
• Reduce alcohol intake – over-consumption of alcohol also reduces bone mass and it is for this reason that it is recommended that a person has no more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
• Reduce or eliminate soft drinks – many soft drinks contain phosphorus, which can leach calcium from the blood stream and a gland in your body borrows calcium from the bones to replace it, expecting it to be replenished over time. If too many soft drinks are consumed, the body is unable to replace calcium fast enough.
• Exercise regularly – regular weight bearing exercise not only helps you to build and maintain muscle, but also builds and strengthens bone. Exercise should be undertaken three to four times a week for half an hour at a time.
• Manage stress – when stressed, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol that leaches calcium from the bones and blood. Stress management techniques such as drinking herbal tea, meditation and so forth helps to slow down the production of cortisol.

Calcium

Many people do not get enough calcium in their diet and a calcium supplement is one way to address the deficit. The supplements work best when combined with magnesium and vitamin D. Vitamin D can be obtained by spending a short amount of time per day in the sun or from foods such as liver, fish oil and fortified milk.

Natural Osteoporosis Treatments

A range of natural treatments or medicines also offer hope for osteoporosis sufferers. Find out about effective natural osteoporosis treatments.