Bone up on facts.Byline: Samantha Booth TOMORROW is World Osteoporosis Day, an event designed to raise awareness of the bone condition and the preventative measures people can take to protect themselves against the disease. Osteoporosis means that the skeleton has a below normal density and bones can be fractured easily. With one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 affected in the UK, it is vital as many people as possible are aware of just what poor bone health can mean. It is believed it is now possible to protect yourself against developing the condition by taking a number of steps. Firstly, getting your recommended daily dose of vitamin D vitamin D Any of a group of fat-soluble alcohols important in calcium metabolism in animals to form strong bones and teeth and prevent rickets and osteoporosis. It is formed by ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) of sterols (see steroid) present in the skin. and calcium is essential. Calcium is needed to keep bones strong, but without enough Vitamin D in your system your body will be unable to absorb calcium from your food and it will subsequently take it from your bones. Good sources of vitamin D include fortified fortified (fôrt  ´fīd),adj containing additives more potent than the principal ingredient. milk, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver. It is also important to engage in regular weight-bearing exercises such as walking, running, dancing and stair climbing Stair climbing is the climbing of a flight of stairs. It is often described as a "low-impact" exercise, often for people who have recently started trying to get in shape. A common phrase in health pop culture is "Take the stairs, not the elevator". - and to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Osteoporosis may be incurable incurable /in·cur·a·ble/ (in-kur´ah-b'l) 1. not susceptible of being cured. 2. a person with a disease which cannot be cured. in·cur·a·ble adj. , but it is certainly beatable and treatable at any age. In general it is a disease which impacts on older people. If you are younger than 30 you have the best chance of protecting yourself against developing the condition in the future by ensuring your bones are as strong as possible. For more information, log on to www.nos.org.uk. Samantha Booth CAPTION(S): BENEFIT: Eggs |
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