Osteopenia is often confused with osteoporosis. Both are conditions of the bones. However, osteopenia is also referred to as having low bone mass. The condition can actually increase the risk of osteoporosis developing. Osteopenia means that your bones have a low mineral density and a low bone mass when compared to the norm. However, your low bone mass is not low enough to be called osteoporosis, which is a disease that can make your bones become brittle and increases the risk of getting fractures and breaks.
While osteopenia can increase a person’s risk of developing osteoporosis and is often considered as a precursor to the condition, not everyone who suffers from osteopenia will develop osteoporosis. Making a few lifestyle changes can help prevent and manage the condition. Here are ten changes that you can make to help prevent osteopenia or manage the symptoms of it if you currently have it.
1. Diet
When it comes to managing osteopenia one of the most important lifestyle changes that you can make is your diet. What you eat is extremely important for your entire body, not just your bones. Eating a healthy diet can go a long way in protecting yourself from many types of diseases and health issues. In order to maintain your bone strength, you need to eat foods that are rich in calcium and other nutrients.
Some of the best sources of these nutrients include green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, and others, and dairy products such as milk and cheese. Another option is to add a calcium supplement to your diet. When taking any type of supplement it is best to discuss it with your doctor first. There are some supplements that will need to be taken with another supplement in order to be the most effective. In addition, certain types of calcium are better than others.
