Bones, like the building blocks of the human body, mature as we age. However, around the age of 35, after the peak of bone strength, it begins to slowly lose.
Between the ages of 50 and 69, bone mass decreases rapidly. After the age of 70, bone loss continues to decrease and may eventually develop into osteoporosis. This process silently threatens our health.
Many people think that osteoporosis is a necessary process of "aging" and does not require much attention. However, its consequences are so severe that they can even be called terrifying.
The most serious consequence of osteoporosis is fractures, which are the most common cause of death and disability in the elderly.
According to relevant data, within one year of hip fracture caused by osteoporosis, the proportion of male patients dying from complications is as high as 20%, and 50% of the survivors are disabled, unable to take care of themselves, and the quality of life is greatly reduced.
The tendency of older people to fracture is usually the result of a combination of factors. Among them, osteoporosis is one of the main factors leading to fractures in the elderly.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased bone density, destruction of bone tissue microstructure, increased bone fragility, and prone to fractures. The incidence of osteoporosis increases with age, so older people are more likely to fracture their bones.
In addition, fractures in the elderly are also related to the deterioration of physical functions such as decreased muscle strength, decreased balance, and slower reaction speed. These factors make it difficult for older people to effectively cushion the impact force in the event of a fall, making them prone to fractures.
For example, femoral neck fracture is one of the most common fractures in the elderly, because the muscles and ligaments around the hip joint in the elderly degenerate, making it difficult to maintain joint stability, and in the event of a fall, external forces can easily cause a femoral neck fracture.
In addition, some external factors may also increase the risk of fracture in older people. For example, older people may have difficulty perceiving danger due to vision loss, hearing impairment, or difficulty avoiding danger due to decreased physical coordination, slow movement, etc. In addition, some chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure may also lead to an increased risk of fractures in the elderly.
Recently, many netizens have claimed online that vinegar is harmful to bone health, leading some people to abandon the use of vinegar altogether, a delicious condiment. However, according to studies by medical experts, moderate vinegar intake does not pose a significant threat to bone health. In fact, the following foods really affect bone health.
A high-sodium diet
A high-sodium diet is the number one enemy of bone health. High sodium intake is closely related to bone calcium loss. Sodium ions compete with calcium ions in the body, resulting in calcium loss.
Long-term intake of high-sodium foods, such as processed foods, preserved foods, and fast food, can lead to a continuous loss of calcium in the bones and increase the risk of fractures.
Coffee
Long-term coffee intake can also have a negative impact on bone health. Caffeine is the main component of coffee and has a diuretic effect. It affects the body's absorption and utilization of calcium, further exacerbating calcium loss. Experts recommend that the amount of caffeine consumed should not exceed 400 mg per day to reduce its effects on bones.
A high-protein, high-fat diet
A high-protein, high-fat diet is also one of the factors that affect bone health. These foods can cause an imbalance in the acid-base balance in the body and promote osteolysis.
In addition, a high-protein and high-fat diet will also increase the burden on the kidneys and affect the reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys. Therefore, we should maintain a balanced combination of foods to maintain our bone health.
In summary, moderate vinegar intake does not pose a threat to bone health. However, we should be mindful of the effects of a high-sodium diet, long-term intake of coffee, and a high-protein, high-fat diet to protect our bone health.
First of all, we need to supplement enough calcium through our diet. Foods such as milk, yogurt, and tofu are all calcium-rich options. In addition, we can also choose some calcium supplements to meet the body's calcium needs. However, more calcium supplementation is not always better, and excessive calcium intake may also have negative effects on the body.
In addition to diet and calcium supplementation, there are a few other factors that we need to be aware of. For example, maintaining proper exercise can increase the strength and toughness of your bones.
In addition, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also help maintain bone health. At the same time, regular bone density testing is also one of the important measures to prevent osteoporosis.
Finally, we need to emphasize that preventing osteoporosis requires long-term persistence. Osteoporosis can be effectively prevented through the correct method of calcium supplementation, combined with a healthy lifestyle.
At the same time, for patients who already suffer from osteoporosis, it is also necessary to actively cooperate with the doctor** and advice to reduce the symptoms and reduce the risk of fractures.