What Do You Need to Know about Bone Health?

True or False:

1. Everyone is at risk of osteoporosis.
2. You have built all the bone you are going to have by age 30.
3. Men don’t get osteoporosis.
4. You can reduce the effects of osteoporosis.
5. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D only matters when you are young.
6. Women don’t need to worry about osteoporosis until after menopause

1. True. Anyone can develop osteoporosis but some people are more at risk than others. Your risk is determined by a combination factors including genetics, age, gender, bone development before age 30, nutrition and exercise.
2. True. Bones reach their maximum strength and density around age 30. Bone density declines as we age. However, bones continue to regenerate throughout our lives. In fact, they remodel every seven to ten years which means we have an opportunity to improve our bone health.
3. False. Osteoporosis affects both men and women, although women are at greater risk. In fact, 80 percent of the 10 million people in the United States who have osteoporosis are women.
4. True. There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of osteoporosis and to improve your bone health even after you are diagnosed with the disease. Things you can do: get enough calcium and vitamin D, exercise regularly, drink alcohol in moderation, quit smoking, and improve your posture.
5. False. The amount of vitamin D and calcium you need varies depending on your age, but they are beneficial throughout your life.
6. False. Although a woman’s risk of osteoporosis increase after menopause, the disease can strike much earlier. Women should pay attention to their bone health at all ages to ensure proper growth and maintenance. Young adults who exercise regularly achieve greater bone mass. And, exercise after age 30 can prevent bone loss.

Ella Health is hosting a Bone Health 101 presentation by America Bone Health Association Educator and Advocate Hope Levy in San Francisco. Learn more about what you can do to prevent and manage osteoporosis.

March 3; 6 to 8 p.m.

2211 Bush Street Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94115

Call 415-440-4151 for more information.