Osteoporosis is a disease that is commonly known as the weakness of bones. ‘Osteo’ means bones and ‘porosis’ means weakness. People who have this disease have a higher risk of having broken bones whenever they fall. This adverse condition makes the bones weak and thinner that may cause them to break quickly. It also reduces the bone density and unable those to manage properly plus making them intensively fragile that puts them in a risk to have fractures, especially hip, wrist and vertebrae area. If you want to know what is osteoporosis, what are its treatment and causes, osteoporosis symptoms, you’ll find all these informations right here in detail.
Osteoporosis is not limited to any gender, but it is more commonly seen in women around the world. These women are at a very high risk because of low bone mass that is calculated by the National Institute of Health. According to a study, women during their lifetime, 50% of postmenopausal women have faced this painful problem and got osteoporosis-related broken bones and fractures. According to an American study, an estimated number of 1000 fractures occur every hour around the world.
We will now see some of the major factors that cause osteoporosis. There are quite a number of risk factors that raise the cause of having osteoporosis. Some of them can be modified while others cannot be avoided at any cost. Some of the non-modifiable risk factors of osteoporosis are:
- Being one of Asians or Caucasians.
- Small or tiny bone structure.
- Age-Especially after 35.
- Fractures that happened before especially at the age of 50 or above.
- Hereditary-Osteoporosis in the family.
Let’s see some of the risk factors that can be modified
- Too much alcohol intake.
- Smoking tobacco.
- Bulimia and anorexia nervosa.
- Stress or inactivity.
- Deficiency of vitamin D and reduced calcium.
- Deficiency of sex hormones in women (lack of estrogen after menopause).
There are some other risk factors that increase the cause of having osteoporosis such as other diseases and intake of certain drugs that forms a particular change in the hormone level and also the drugs that reduce the mass of the bones. Ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis also increase the risk of having osteoporosis. There is a list of medications that increases the risk of osteoporosis such as
- Heparin-used as a blood thinner.
- Letrozole-used to fight cancer.
- Leuprorelin-used to treat prostate cancer.
- Anastrozole-used to treat sex hormones.
- Intake of excess thyroid medications.
- Glucocorticoids and prednisolone.
We will now see the major signs and symptoms of osteoporosis that must be considered for a healthy lifestyle. The loss of bones that are developed slowly and steadily in the course of time does not show any particular signs and symptoms of osteoporosis. The very first symptom that a patient knows of their osteoporosis problem is an unexpected fracture that happens after a minor fall or accident. A little strain or slip and even cough or sneeze can cause a fracture. The area of bone that breaks particularly lies in the hip, wrist or spinal cord. The latter break in the spine can cause loss of posture; it is the stooping position that is often seen in old people.
If you have recently diagnosed with osteoporosis or you have a high risk of developing it in the future then you must follow a strict diet plan to overcome this problem, so that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle to help slow down the growth of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis treatment requires patience and consistency. You can also try some very effective and amazing home remedies that will help you to reduce the risk of having osteoporosis.
“The best possible remedy to prevent osteoporosis is to eat calcium enriched foods.”
15. Apple Cider Vinegar

- When you are planning for dinner or a snack add a tablespoon of vinegar, to add a twist along with attaining its health benefits.
- Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with a teaspoon of honey.
- Have this mixture daily to overcome the problem of osteoporosis.
14. Beans

- Add beans to your salads and soups to get some amazing benefits out of it that helps to reduce osteoporosis.
- Boil some black bean in a cup of fresh water and strain it.
- Add a teaspoon of honey and drink this mixture daily to get some instant energy and reduced osteoporosis pain.
13. Peanut Butter

- Eat about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to prevent this disease.
- You can also use them in sandwiches and as a salad dressing.
- Try using peanut butter in sweet and savory foods as well.
12. Orange Juice

- The best way to get proper vitamin C is to eat orange as a whole or drink its juice.
- Try to use it in fruit salads and season it with some orange juice.
- Try to use them in your daily meals to get maximum benefits.
11. Broccoli

- Add some broccoli is your daily meals especially salads.
- Have a delightful broccoli soup to warm up yourself in chilled winters and to get most benefits out of it.
- Use them in your savory dishes as one of the sautéed vegetable.
10. Sun Bath

To increase vitamin D intake simply expose yourself to the sun early in the morning for about 10-15 minutes daily. This produce will help produce the right amount of vitamin D in the body. But always be careful while you are exposed to the sun, as over exposure can harm the skin intensively. Always apply a good sunblock before going out in the sun.
9. Regular Exercise

- Balancing and flexibility exercises.
- Exercises with resistance such as stretch bands and free weights.
- Exercise that bears weight like walk, aerobics or playing tennis or badminton.
8. Coriander

- Add two teaspoon of coriander seeds in a cup of hot water and simmer it for 10 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and add honey for good taste.
- Drink this every day to maintain a healthy bone structure.
- Try to include coriander leaves and seeds as a good seasoning to your daily dishes.
“Osteoporosis is one of the common diseases among women aged 60 and above who are going through the phase of menopause.”
7. Pineapple

- Try to add one cup of chunky pineapple before your every meal, it provides almost 75% of manganese dose to the body.
- You can also drink pineapple juice for the prevention of this disease.
- Whenever having a bowl of fruit salad add some chunks of pineapple to refresh the taste along with adding some benefits to it.
6. Sesame Seeds

- Chew a teaspoon of roasted sesame seeds everyday in the morning.
- Try drinking warm milk twice daily containing roasted sesame seeds.
- Also use sesame seeds in daily cooking and bakery items.
5. Fish Oil

- Take about 1000 mg of fish oil supplement once daily with every meal to show its effectiveness.
- You can also add cold-water salmon to your diet that helps to increase the amount of fatty acids in your diet.
Note: People who are already taking blood-thinning pills should not take fish oil supplement without doctor’s advice.
4. Apples

3. Coconut Oil

- Consumption of 5 tablespoons of coconut oil will reverse the process of osteoporosis and 3 tablespoons will prevent this disease.
- Add virgin oil to your daily meals.
- A deep massage with coconut oil will also strengthen your bones and will provide necessary nutrition to the bones.
2. Almond Milk

- Soak about a cup of almonds overnight in water. The next day peel the skin off and grind them fine into a paste. Add a little water, cinnamon powder and honey along with grinding it again. Strain the mixture and have it daily.
- Another option is to soak 10 almonds overnight in warm milk and blend them next day after peeling the skin off. Add a pinch of saffron, little cardamom powder and ginger to the mixture. Drink it daily to see some effective results.
1. Prunes

Some Healthy Tips
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Quit smoking as it reduces the density of bone and promotes bone loss.
- Avoid precooked packed food containing high sodium. Reduce the meat content as it reduces the calcium in the bones.
- Take vitamin D or calcium supplements after doctor’s advice. If possible take a proper sunbath.
- Cut down the consumption of caffeine and carbonated drinks as it reduces the calcium level in the body.
- Avoid stress and depression as it invokes the changes in hormones.
- Always keep an eye on your medications as some of them such as thyroid contribute a lot towards bone loss.
- Always take care while going from steps or walking as any sort of fall will result in fracture and worse conditions.
- Eat foods that are rich in calcium, magnesium, manganese, fatty acid, vitamin C, D and K.