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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health: Early-Onset Arthritis in Retired National Football League Players
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health: Early-Onset Arthritis in Retired National Football League Players
- Nutrition Research: Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency in U.S. Adults
- Nutrition Research: Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency in U.S. Adults
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Ways to Keep the Skeletal System Healthy
The skeletal system comprises 206 bones, along with their associated cartilages, ligaments and joints. A healthy skeletal system consists of strong bones and stable, yet supple, joints. Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are among the most common ailments of the skeletal system. These unrelated conditions, associated with deterioration of joints and weakening of bones, are at least partially preventable by observing certain do's and don'ts of exercise and nutrition.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Do This
Regular exercise is important for maintaining strong bones. When it comes to building and maintaining bone mass, choosing the right type of exercise is key. Weight-bearing exercises refer to those in which your muscles work against the force of gravity. This type of exercise stimulates an adaptive response in the body that leads to increased mineral density of the bones. Healthy bone mineral density makes bones less susceptible to fractures.
- Regular exercise is important for maintaining strong bones.
- This type of exercise stimulates an adaptive response in the body that leads to increased mineral density of the bones.
Don't Do That
Diet to Improve Healing of Bone Fractures
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Contact sports and other activities that increase the risk of joint injuries increase the likelihood of arthritic degeneration of the joints in future years. A study published in September 2009 in the "Journal of Physical Activity and Health" reported that more than 40 percent of retired football players younger than age 60 reported arthritis compared to fewer than 12 percent of age-matched men who did not play football 1. The increased incidence of early-onset osteoarthritis in football players was attributed to injuries to ligaments and tendons during their playing years. Proper equipment and conditioning are important for injury prevention. Injuries to joints should be properly rehabilitated to minimize complications later in life.
- Contact sports and other activities that increase the risk of joint injuries increase the likelihood of arthritic degeneration of the joints in future years.
- The increased incidence of early-onset osteoarthritis in football players was attributed to injuries to ligaments and tendons during their playing years.
Eat This
Consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D is critical to keep the skeletal system healthy. The authors of a study published in January 2011 in "Nutrition Research" suggest that inadequate vitamin D intake is common. They found low vitamin D levels in more than 40 percent of Americans. This prevalence suggests that it may be necessary for some people to take a vitamin D supplement to meet the minimum daily recommendation of at least 600 IU. Supplementation may also be necessary for some adults to meet the 1,200 mg recommended daily intake of calcium. People who avoid dairy due to allergies or sensitivities should consider supplementation. Other micronutrients needed for optimal bone health include magnesium, potassium and vitamins K and C. These are usually easy to obtain in a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Eating 5 servings of assorted fruits and vegetables daily usually provides adequate intake of these important nutrients.
- Consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D is critical to keep the skeletal system healthy.
- Other micronutrients needed for optimal bone health include magnesium, potassium and vitamins K and C. These are usually easy to obtain in a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
Don't Eat -- or Drink -- That
The Nutrients in Canned Sardines
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While eating the right foods can help maintain healthy bones, certain dietary choices can contribute to bone mineral loss, potentially leading to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, salty foods may weaken bones 3. Research presented at the 2013 meeting of the Endocrine Society appears to confirm the association between high salt intake and increased bone fragility 4. Avoiding processed or canned foods can help lower the amount of salt in the diet. Eating too much meat may also lead to a net loss of calcium in the bones. The National Osteoporosis Foundation also recommends moderation in consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea and soft drinks 3.
Related Articles
References
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health: Early-Onset Arthritis in Retired National Football League Players
- Nutrition Research: Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency in U.S. Adults
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: Food and Your Bones
- Endocrine Reviews: Relationship Between Sodium Intake and Bone Fragility in Postmenopausal Women
- National Osteoporosis Foundation. What is osteoporosis and what causes it?
- Jakob F, Seefried L, Schwab M. Age and osteoporosis. Effects of aging on osteoporosis, the diagnostics and therapy. Internist (Berl). 2014;55(7):755-761. doi:10.1007/s00108-014-3468-z
- Gourlay ML, Overman RA, Emsrud KE. Bone density screening and re-screening in postmenopausal women and older men. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2015;13(6):390–398. doi:10.1007/s11914-015-0289-5
- National Osteoporosis Foundation. What women need to know.
- Golds G, Houdek D, Arnason T. Male hypogonadism and osteoporosis: The effects, clinical consequences, and treatment of testosterone deficiency in bone health. Int J Endocrinol. 2017;2017:4602129. doi:10.1155/2017/4602129
- Cleveland Clinic. Osteoporosis. Updated October 4, 2015.
- NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases. What people with diabetes need to know about osteoporosis. Updated November 2018
- Iseme RA, Mcevoy M, Kelly B, et al. Is osteoporosis an autoimmune mediated disorder? Bone Rep. 2017;7:121–131. doi:10.1016/j.bonr.2017.10.003
- Tuchendler D, Bolanowski M. The influence of thyroid dysfunction on bone metabolism. Thyroid Res. 2014;7:12. doi:10.1186/s13044-014-0012-0
- Clark GR, Duncan EL. The genetics of osteoporosis. Br. Med. Bull. 2015;113(1),73–81. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldu042
- NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases. Osteoporosis: Peak bone mass in women. Updated October 2018
- NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases. The Surgeon General’s report on bone health and osteoporosis: What it means to you. Updated February 2017
Writer Bio
Ron Rogers, a Washington chiropractor, has worked with local and national regulatory bodies in his profession and has provided consultation to the national chiropractic licensing board. He is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Rogers' works have been published in several peer-reviewed professional journals, covering topics ranging from musculoskeletal diagnosis to research-based rehabilitation strategies.