Bones are quite literally the support system of the body, so it’s super important to keep them strong and healthy. Bones are continuously being broken down and rebuilt in tiny amounts. Before about age 30, when bones typically reach peak bone mass (which varies from person to person), the body is creating new bone faster, but after age 30, the bone building balance naturally shifts and more bone is lost than gained. Some people have a lot of savings in their “bone bank” because of factors including genetics, diet and how much bone they built up as teenagers. The natural depletion of bone doesn’t affect these lucky ducks too drastically. But in those with a smaller bone fortune, when the body can’t create new bone as fast as the old bone is lost, osteoporosis can set in, causing bones to become weak and brittle and allowing them to fracture more easily. The disease is most common in postmenopausal women over the age of 65 and in men over the age of 70. Although all this talk of menopause and older age makes the threat of osteoporosis seem like a long way off, know that once it sets in, it’s extremely hard to reverse. Since there’s no way of being 100% positive you’ll develop osteoporosis, the best way to counteract it is to take steps earlier in life to beef up bone mass (and prevent its loss) as much as possible. Unfortunately, some are more likely than others to develop osteoporosis and weak bones in general (namely white and Asian postmenopausal women). Also unfortunately, it’s awfully difficult to change your race, gender or menopausal status. But never fear — there are some things that can be changed to bump up bone mass. Here are 10 tips to make deposits in your bone bank for a healthier future. 1. Know your family history. As with many medical conditions, family history is a key indicator of bone health. Those with a parent or sibling who has or had osteoporosis are more likely to … Continue reading 10 Ways to Build Healthy Bones (and Keep Them Strong)