Want Healthier Bones? Take This Advice!

Strong bones are crucial because they provide the framework that supports your body. Maintaining bone strength helps prevent osteoporosis, which causes bones to become fragile and brittle. It’s ultra-important to keep them in tip-top shape. 

The office of J. Turner Vosseller, MD has an outstanding reputation. Our expertise allows us to accurately assess and address various orthopedic-related issues, which ensures the highest level of care for patients.

Take these tips to help your skeleton stay strong.

Step away from salt. The more you eat, the more calcium your body discards. Use your salt shaker sparingly, and go easy on bread, cheeses, chips, cold cuts and pre-packed frozen food. They have tons of sodium—more than most edibles! Try for fewer than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day.

Don’t be a couch potato. Whether it’s binge-watching your favorite TV show, playing video games for hours on end or staying glued to your laptop, your bones are sedentary. Get up and go for a walk, do some gardening or even household chores. Your skeleton benefits when your legs and feet carry your body weight because your bones and muscles are forced to fight gravity. 

Don’t rely on your bicycle. Yes, biking is a fun and pleasant pastime, but your heart and lungs benefit way more than your bones. Put more time into activities that work your bones, such as lifting weights, hiking, dancing and shooting hoops.

Get into Mother Nature. Sunlight makes your body produce vitamin D. Ten to 15 minutes in sunbeams a few times a week should do the trick. But don’t overdo it! The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin and cause a variety of issues such as skin cancer and wrinkles. Ask your general physician if you would benefit from a vitamin D supplement. 

Limit your intake of alcohol. It can hinder how your body absorbs calcium. Calcium is important for bone health because it helps keep them strong and dense. No more than one drink a day for women and two for men is recommended. 

Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke hampers your body from easily forming new healthy bone tissue. Smokers have a greater chance of breaks and take longer to heal. 

J. Turner Vosseller, MD stands out for its commitment to personalized care. We take the time to understand each patient’s unique needs, lifestyle and preferences. This ensures that treatment plans are tailored to optimize orthopedic health. Please call us today to schedule an appointment. 

By J. Turner Vosseller

August 29, 2024