Table of Contents
HEALTH UPDATES ON BONE HEALTH
What are some tips to keep bones healthy?
One must take an adequate calcium, minerals and regular vitamin D which are essential for building bone density and bone health post weight bearing exercises.
How many days a week should one do bone and strength activities?
* Do bone strengthening exercises on alternate days because it is important to rest the muscles.
* There are different types of strength training exercises which are best for different age groups. Your fitness trainer may guide you on the types of exercises according to your body mass and medical conditions, if any.
It’s a myth that sitting in the sunlight alone can meet the Vitamin D deficiencies. The amount of sunlight one can absorb depends upon the melanin, a pigment in the body. The melanin blocks the UV lights which is the important source for Vitamin D, that is why sitting under the sun does not suffice and fulfil the body’s need for Vitamin D. It is important to regularly check the levels of Vitamin D and if the reports state low levels, your doctor can prescribe supplements which are to be taken once in a week or month depending upon the levels.
The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 international units (IU) for children up to age 12 months, 600 IU for people ages 1 to 70 years, and 800 IU for people over 70 years.
What’s the effect of exercise and nutrition on bone health?
Bone health is largely dependent on the concentration of calcium and Vitamin D intake. The lack of calcium and vitamin D in the body can often lead to reduced bone density leading to osteoporosis and softening of bones – which leads to fractures.
One need not have to take the calcium every day. It is often prescribed for 4-6 weeks and then, after a gap of a few weeks, again for 4-6 weeks to maintain the levels. The regular intake of the calcium in the body should be 1000 mg per day for normal people and 1200 mg per day during pregnancy and in lactating mothers. The 100 grams of cheese is sufficient to give 1000 mg of calcium, a glass of milk and a bowl of curd gives 200 mg of calcium to the body.
Apart from that, nuts and vegetables can also constitute for calcium in the body. For non-vegetarians, crabs are the rich source of calcium for the body. However, a diet alone cannot help to build bone health. Regular exercise and physical activities are required for healthy bones.
What are some bone strengthening exercises to do at home?
Walking is the best exercise one can follow for 30-40 minutes daily. In yoga, Surya Namaskar and Pranayama for the lungs on regular basis constitute a healthy regime for bone health. For outside activities, people can go cycling, play tennis and/or badminton and go swimming.
