Things Women With Osteoporosis Should Avoid - Page 16
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Approximately 200 million women around the world suffer from osteoporosis, and the condition causes nearly 9 million fractures a year. In women 45 and up, osteoporosis-related injuries account for more days spent in the hospital than most other conditions and diseases. Studies have found that a lot of women are hesitant to discuss osteoporosis with their doctor, or get tested for it, which makes the condition even more prevalent. If you’re a woman, denying that osteoporosis could affect you is not an option. If you have already been diagnosed with the condition, it’s important to stay away from certain foods and activities that can make osteoporosis worse.
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Binge drinking
Alcohol has been linked to low bone mass and decreased bone formation. But what’s more is when you’re tipsy, you’re more likely to fall over, causing a painful fracture.
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Salt
Salt depletes the body of calcium, which women with osteoporosis desperately need. Women with osteoporosis shouldn’t have more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
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Smoking
People who smoke are at a heightened risk of bone fractures. Women with osteoporosis cannot afford to fracture a bone since the healing process can take much longer than it does for those with healthy bones.
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Bike riding
While bike riding can burn calories, it’s not good for people with osteoporosis. Bike riding puts weight on only certain parts of the body and is not considered a weight-bearing activity—so it can put an imbalanced amount of pressure on already weak bones.
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Wheat bran
Wheat bran might seem like a shoe-in for women with osteoporosis because you typically eat it with calcium-dense milk. But the grain actually prevents your body from properly absorbing calcium.
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Too much caffeine
The phosphorous in caffeine has been shown to cause bone loss. If you need more energy, consider doing some of those weight-bearing exercises we discussed instead of drinking more Joe.
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Soft drinks
Soft drinks also contain the phosphorous that can lead to bone loss, in case you needed one more reason to skip this unhealthy beverage.
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Heartburn medication
Some heartburn medication has been shown to diminish bone health. While those who don’t have osteoporosis can take bone-strengthening medication with their heartburn medication to prevent bone problems, those who already have the condition should talk to their doctor before going on heartburn medication.
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Antidepressants
Antidepressants are another medication that’s been linked to negative effects on bone health.
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Sugar
Sugar, like salt, prevents your body from properly absorbing calcium. It can also cause blood sugar lows that make you not want to exercise, and we already know exercise is important for healthy bones.
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Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate combines two off-limits items for osteoporosis sufferers: caffeine and sugar. Consider healthier ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, like dry fruit—its high fiber content minimizes the effects of sugar in your body.
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Unsoaked beans
Beans are good for those with osteoporosis overall once they’ve been soaked. Many beans are high in phytates, which can interfere with your ability to absorb calcium. But if you soak them for several hours before cooking them, you can remove some of that substance.
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Swiss chard and raw spinach
Raw spinach and swiss chard contain a lot of calcium, but ironically they contain oxalates which can make it hard for the body to absorb calcium. Combine these foods with another snack that has readily available calcium, like cheese.
