How To Fight Osteoporosis

Check out our five signs that your bones may be thinning, and adopt these proven strategies to help strengthen your skeleton

- Tanya Pearey

A broken bone

A break – particularly of the wrist, spine or hip – is often the first obvious sign of weakening bones or the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis, which affects an estimated three million women in the UK.

If you’re 50 or over, talk to your GP about a bone density (DEXA) scan to check for osteoporosis.

Consider medication. If you’re diagnosed with osteoporosis, your GP can prescribe tablets, such as alendronic acid, to reduce the rate of bone loss.

Maintain a healthy BMI. A Body Mass Index below 20 can put you at higher risk of osteoporosis, partly because you’re starting with less bone to begin with. ‘Often, those with a low BMI have a restricted diet, which can affect the nutrients they eat,’ says Kirsty Carne, osteoporosis specialist nurse from the Royal Osteoporosis Society. Check your BMI at nhs.uk

Don’t smoke. It increases your risk of breaking a bone. This is partly because smokers have a lower body weight, says Kathy. ‘But smoking also has an impact on bone turnover and stops it regenerating as quickly.’

More info?

Call the Royal Osteoporosis Society helpline on 0808 800 0035, or visit theros.org.uk

Poor grip

This can be a sign of weak bones as well as muscles. Low handgrip strength is linked to low bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, according to Chinese research. Lower grip strength can also increase your risk of falls.