Exercise, lifestyle, and your bones

Osteoporosis, or weak bones, is a disease that causes bones to become brittle and more likely to fracture (break). With osteoporosis, the bones lose density. Bone density is the amount of calcified bone tissue in your bones.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).

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A diagnosis of osteoporosis means you are at risk for bone fractures even with everyday activities or minor accidents or falls.

Exercise plays a key role in preserving bone density as you age.

Why Exercise?

Make exercise a regular part of your life. It helps keep your bones strong and lower your risk of osteoporosis and fractures as you get older.

Before you begin an exercise program, talk with your health care provider if:

• You are 50 years of age or older
• You have not been active for a while
• You have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or any other health condition

  Diabetes

  Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.

  

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How Much and What Type of Exercise?

To build up bone density, the exercise must make your muscles pull on your bones. These are called weight-bearing exercises. Some of them are:

• Brisk walks, jogging, playing tennis, dancing, or other weight-bearing activities such as aerobics and other sports
• Careful weight training, using weight machines or free weights

Weight-bearing exercises also:

• Increase bone density even in young people
• Help preserve bone density in women who are approaching menopause

  Menopause

  Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods (menstruation) stop. Most often, it is a natural, normal body change that occurs between ag...

  

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To protect your bones, do weight-bearing exercises 3 or more days a week for a total of over 90 minutes a week.

If you are older, check with your provider before doing high-impact aerobics, such as step aerobics. This type of exercise may increase your risk for fractures if you have osteoporosis.

Low-impact exercises, like yoga and tai chi, do not help bone density very much. But they can improve your balance and lower your risk of falling and breaking a bone. And, even though they are good for your heart, swimming and biking do not increase bone density.

Other Lifestyle Changes to Help Your Bones

If you smoke, quit. Also limit how much alcohol you drink. Too much alcohol can damage your bones and raise your risk of falling and breaking a bone.

Smoke, quit

There are many ways to quit smoking. There are also resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive. But to be su...

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If you do not get enough calcium, or if your body does not absorb enough calcium from the foods you eat, your body may not make enough new bone. Talk with your provider about calcium and your bones.

Calcium and your bones

Getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet can help maintain bone strength and lessen your risk of developing osteoporosis.

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Vitamin D helps your body absorb enough calcium.

• Ask your provider if you should take a vitamin D supplement.
• You may need more vitamin D during the winter or if you need to avoid sun exposure to prevent skin cancer.
• Ask your provider about how much sun is safe for you.