Top 8 Questions Doctors Get Asked About Bone Health

According to the CDC, 25% of adults in the U.S. are not active enough, and this can take a toll on your bone density. It is important to promote bone health at every age with regular exercise, nutritional support, and discussing bone health with your doctor. Asking questions help you better understand your bones, so you can create a plan for optimal bone health and healthy living.

The 8 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Health

There are 206 bones in the adult skeleton, and even more questions about bone health. So, I’m going to take a moment to answer the most frequently asked questions to help you along your bone health-journey

1. Can I prevent bone density loss?

Bone is living tissue, so it changes as you age. With proper care, you can keep your bones strong and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The best way to do this is with a comprehensive routine that includes:

• Balanced nutrition to maintain essential mineral levels
• Regular exercise that includes weight-bearing exercises like hiking, walking, and elliptical training
• Healthy habits such as not smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Talking to your doctor about medications you are taking that may affect bone health
• Getting routine bone mineral density studies (DXA)

2. Why do bones ache sometimes?

Factors such as poor diet and missing essential nutrients, hormonal changes, inactivity, and obesity can cause physiological changes to the musculoskeletal system, leading to pain. It is important to support bone density and strength with supplements that include essential minerals for bone health like vitamin D3, calcium, and vitamin K2, to reduce the risk of bone aches.

3. Why is calcium necessary for bones?

60% of your bone weight is made from a mineral complex known as calcium hydroxyapatite, which consists of a highly absorbable form of calcium. Your body requires this essential compound for bone density and strength. Because your body cannot make calcium, you must get it through diet. Calcium is a central component of bone tissue, so when diet falls short, supplemental support can help keep bones strong at any age.

4. Why do bones need vitamin D?

Vitamin D3 is produced when your skin is exposed to the sun and can be found in foods like oily fish, liver, mushrooms, and supplements. It is actually a family of vitamins, of which D2 and D3 are the most common. Vitamin D3, specifically, is more bioavailable to better promote the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus from your food to support bone strength. As you get older, bone breakdown occurs faster than new bone generation, making vitamin D3 essential for maintaining a healthy balance.

5. Is B12 good for bones?

Vitamin B12 plays many essential roles in the body, including supporting healthy bones. Vitamin B12 influences homocysteine levels, an amino acid that triggers an increase in osteoclast activity and decreases osteoblast activity. Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with higher levels of homocysteine and lower bone density, so by modulating homocysteine activity, B12 can help support healthy bone formation and strength.

6. How does age affect bone health?

You reach peak bone density in your late 20s and early 30s, after which bone breakdown occurs at a faster rate than bone formation. This means you want to start taking are of your bones earlier rather than later. Waiting until bone health begins to decline can have you starting at a disadvantage. I recommend establishing a daily routine that includes balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and lifestyle habits to keep your bone strong.

7. What bones are most affected by osteoporosis?

The areas of the body most commonly affected by aging, wear and tear, and osteoporosis are the wrists, spine, and hips. These are commonly evaluated in bone mineral density studies. With regular exercise and balance therapy, you can reduce the risk of falls and support the long-term health of the bones in these areas.

8. What care the risks of low bone density?

After your 30s, bone breakdown begins to occur at a faster rate than new bone can form. This means, as you age, your bone density can decrease without preventative care. Taking a proactive approach to bone health can help you maintain healthy bone mineralization to keep your bones strong. Starting early and taking care of your bones means that common age-related bone issues and osteoporosis don’t have to slow you down.

Taking Supplements for Bone Health

In addition to regular exercise and a balanced diet, there are benefits to adding supplements to your bone health routine. I highly recommend OsteoMD® to anyone looking to build and maintain healthy bones. This comprehensive bone health solution, that I helped formulate, offers four bioavailable nutrients to support bone mineralization and bone density.

MenaQ7®, an optimal form of vitamin K2, supports bone cell activity to promote bone building and mineralization. Vitamin D3 and calcium hydroxyapatite help the body to absorb calcium and, in combination with vitamin K2, work to get the calcium to the bones where it is needed. The addition of CalZbone®, a patented Cissus quadrangularis extract, keeps your bones strong and helps reduce bone and muscle pain.

Final Thought

Knowledge is essential in the promotion of bone health, and it is important to discuss bone health with your doctor. By asking questions, you can get the information you need. Once armed with the facts, you can ensure that your daily routine includes the right nutrition, exercise, and habits for optimal bone health.