THE HAIRPOLITAN MAGAZINE VOL 6 MAY 2017

Age takes a toll on our bodies, no matter how
gracefully we age on the outside. For women,
in particular, life changes like pregnancy and
menopause can wreak havoc on our bodies. One of
the more serious side effects of aging is osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which your
bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue.
This reduction in bone density is more common in
women as we have smaller, thinner bones than men.
There are many causes of osteoporosis, but we will
examine in greater detail the ones that are pertinent
to older women.
One of the main causes of osteoporosis is a change
in hormone levels. The onset of menopause brings
about a sharp drop in oestrogen, which in turn
can cause bone loss. The chance of developing
osteoporosis as women age increases significantly
after menopause. There are now drugs on the market
that are used to moderate this hormone drop and
that can treat and prevent osteoporosis.
While some of the causes of osteoporosis are out of
our control, many of them are lifestyle related. As
we age, we tend to become more sedentary, which
impacts us negatively in more ways than simply a
widening waistline. Bones weaken if they aren’t
worked, and an inactive lifestyle causes rapid bone
loss. One of the reasons osteoporosis is called the
‘The Silent Disease’ is because you will never know
you have it until you fracture a bone. Without a bone
density scan, it is impossible to tell whether or not
you are experiencing a degradation in your bone
density.
It is not all bad news however. Implementing
a regimen of consistent exercise can prevent
osteoporosis caused by inactivity. It is not enough
to just do cardio like walking or aerobics; to keep
your bones dense and strong, you have to subject
them to gentle stress through weight bearing
exercises. Weight lifting at least three times a week
is one of the most effective remedies against loss
of bone mass. The added benefits of weight lifting
are improved muscle strength and better balance,
both of which infinitely increase your quality of life
as you age. Seek the advice of a qualified fitness
professional to help you with an exercise program.
Make your smoothie a meal in a glass
by adding oats and spinach
pressure and diabetes. Micronutrient deficiencies
are more common as we age because the variety in
our diets tends to stagnate. It also becomes harder
for our bodies to absorb the necessary nutrients.
Lack of calcium and Vitamin D are dietary causes of
osteoporosis. Without calcium, you can’t rebuild new
bones, while Vitamin D helps your body’s absorption
of calcium. A deficiency in the latter will therefor
inhibit the amount you would absorb, even with a
balanced diet. As well as eating a balanced diet,
taking supplements helps fill in any gaps in our diet
and helps us meet our increased nutritional needs.
There are other things that can affect the loss of
bone density, such as medication, smoking and
drinking alcohol. It is important to understand
whether or not you fall into an at-risk bracket. It is
“IT IS POSSIBLE
TO MITIGATE
THE EFFECTS OF
GROWING OLD.
“
Images Courtesy of Nina Odongo
worth discussing with your doctor the possibility of
getting a bone density scan. Even if you don’t have
full-blown osteoporosis, these scans can pick up on
a reduction in bone mass.
Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis,
presenting as only a small reduction in bone density.
With supplements, it is possible to prevent a further
deterioration and with the suggestions above, to
make lifestyle changes that can actually improve
your density.
The thought of aging may be frightening for some,
with the prospect of physical deterioration, however,
it IS possible to mitigate the effects of growing old.
Living a healthy, active, well-considered lifestyle will
not only slow the aging process, it will significantly
improve your quality of life and allow you to embrace
the aging process, live happily and age successfully.
Consult your doctor before you embark on a marked
lifestyle change, including taking supplements.
Get your five-a-day by snacking on fruit and veg
Lifting weight keeps you strong and fit.
Diet is also an important factor when considering
causes of osteoporosis. As we get older, it becomes
even more crucial that we pay attention to our diet
to prevent or control lifestyle diseases commonly
associated with age, such as increased blood
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