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Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAs we age, our bodies experience many changes.<\/p>\n
One of the most crucial, yet often overlooked, is maintaining strong bones.<\/p>\n
We spoke with two physiotherapists at Nuffield Health to understand why prioritising bone health is so essential.<\/p>\n
They also revealed what steps we can take to maintain and improve it.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019ve been paying attention to your bone health for some time or are just beginning to focus on it, the insights and tips they have shared can make a real difference to your overall quality of life.<\/p>\n
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open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>Bone density decreases over time – which can lead to various issues. (PA)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Why is it so important to look after your bone health?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nBone density tends to decrease over time, so it\u2019s crucial that we are proactive about taking care of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerally, we will tend to see bone density gradually increase until our 20s-30s and then we tend to see a decline in bone density from there,\u201d says Josh Slater, senior physiotherapist at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital. \u201cTypical bone density loss is around 1-3 per year or 10-30 per decade. This can lead to bones becoming more brittle and susceptible to fractures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis can be confounded by a reduction in strength\/power and mobility meaning slips, trips and falls can become more common.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vitamin D and calcium in particular play an important role in bone health.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalcium has several vital roles in the body and is one of the main components of bone,\u201d explains Slater. \u201cIf the body cannot meet its calcium needs to fulfil these roles\/functions, it can take some of the calcium from the bones to supplement any deficit. This can lead to a reduced bone density.<\/p>\n
\u201cVitamin D helps the body with absorption of calcium from food we eat and therefore if we do not have sufficient amounts, we sometimes cannot utilise the calcium from our diet as well, leading to the bone density reduction.\u201d<\/p>\n
To ensure that our mobility and balance stays strong well into our 60s and beyond, here are some easy ways to maintain and boost bone health\u2026<\/p>\n
Look at your diet<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\u201cEnsuring a mixed diet containing sources of proteins, calcium and vitamins is important,\u201d says Slater. \u201cAlongside good quality food, ensuring that you are getting enough food (not dieting drastically or restricting calories heavily) can be important to provide your body with enough energy\/fuel to grow.<\/p>\n