So, what exactly is healthy aging? Healthy aging involves “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability to perform the activities of daily living as we age.” This includes our ability to walk, climb stairs, and even brush our teeth.
Many factors contribute to healthy aging, but today we’re going to focus on two: keeping our bones and joints healthy. As we age, it’s normal for our bones to become less dense and our joints to deteriorate. This can lead to a greater risk of fractures and joint pain.
There are several things we can do to keep our bones and joints healthy as we age:
Exercise regularly: Weight-bearing activities like walking, running, and lifting weights help to maintain bone density. Regular exercise also helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become weak and break easily.
Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt helps to keep bones strong.
Don’t smoke: Smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Limit alcohol intake: Too much alcohol can damage the liver, which is responsible for removing toxins from the body. These toxins can build up in the bones and weaken them.
Get enough vitamin D and calcium: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for bone health. Both vitamin D and calcium can be found in fortified foods like milk and orange juice, as well as in supplements.
See your doctor regularly: Regular checkups and screenings can help catch problems early when they’re easier to treat.
Healthy Aging Month – Maintain Your Bones
Would you like to maintain the health of your bones this month? Make an appointment with Bone & Joint Specialist in Indiana. As Indiana’s premier orthopedic center, we provide a wide range of orthopedic services. If you want to improve the health of your bones, you can talk to us about other steps you can take. You can schedule an appointment by calling (219) 795-3360.
