What are the main mistakes in the diet of modern man that predispose to the development of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a socially significant disease that currently ranks third in frequency, after cancer and cardiovascular disease, with a tendency to take second place.
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease because it leads to a decrease in bone mineral density, the quality of the bone itself, which is determined by the aging of the individual. To a large extent, this is a disease determined by age. Prolonging life expectancy and an aging population mean that there will be more and more older people and more cases of osteoporosis.
On the other hand, there are already many cases of early forms of osteoporosis.
A healthy and proper diet and the prevention of osteoporosis could delay, reduce or delay the onset of the disease. In its most fatal form, it is associated with pathological fractures (low-energy fractures) or those that occur as a result of minimal trauma - for example, falling out of bed, tripping, etc.
Nutritional factors that predispose to the development of osteoporosis are insufficient intake of calcium, vitamin D, excessive salt intake, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, fiber, on the other hand, overconsumption of saturated fatty acids.
Such an unfavorable pattern of overeating with inappropriate foods, at the expense of the consumption of complete protein, milk and dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, leads to accelerated and earlier manifestation of osteoporosis.
Among the harmful eating habits is the high consumption of carbonated beverages and caffeine. Children are increasingly replacing milk and milk drinks with carbonated ones, which contain simple sugars. The car, for example, increases local osteolysis, which prevents the accumulation of bone mass in adolescence, and at a later age accelerates the process of bone breakdown.
At what age is it good for a woman to start a diet as a prophylactic measure against osteoporosis? We know that women are more prone to the disease.
A complete diet should be followed throughout life, from birth.
Studies show that insufficient milk intake in childhood is associated with a 2 times higher risk of fractures. That is why it is important to build certain eating habits from an early age, and not after the onset of the disease.
Which women should not ignore the regimen because they are at higher risk of osteoporosis?
These are weak women who primarily have a finer bone structure. They cannot reach their peak bone mass.
Also at risk are women who do not eat properly and follow different diets, starve, allow rapid weight loss. Permanent adherence to different diets by young women also prevents the accumulation of peak bone mass.
One of the reasons for the development of osteoporosis is malnutrition, in any form, be it malnutrition in early childhood or during puberty. Anorexia creates an extremely high risk of osteoporosis at a later age, as well as triggering the disease much earlier than usual.
Women with established thyroid problems should also be careful; those treated with corticosteroids; thyroid hormones. We should not forget women with premature menopause, 45 years ago.
Among the major risk factors are age, over 65 years; already present fracture of the spine; fracture after the age of 40; family history; malabsorption, operations of the gastrointestinal tract, which lead to poor absorption of macro- and micronutrients; hyperparathyroidism; hypogonadism.
The risk group also includes smokers, women who abuse alcohol and those who do not exercise.
What should be the regime of a woman in whom thinning of the bones is already possible or a fact?
Unfortunately, many people change their diet after the disease has been diagnosed, when it may be too late.
The presence of osteopenia or osteoporosis means that treatment is needed. Calcium and vitamin D are an integral part of prevention and treatment, but they do not cure osteoporosis.
Therefore, it is especially important to carry out prophylaxis from an early age, to take the necessary doses of calcium, vitamin D and other useful trace elements. The best way is to get them through food. It is also possible through food supplements, but then the diagnosis is mandatory.