Health Pulse Bone blunders: behaviours that weaken your skeleton Your bones may seem rock solid, but they can weaken more easily than you might think. As you age, habits such as sitting too much, smoking, drinking heavily, or skimping on calcium and vitamin D can quietly chip away at their strength over time. Bone loss often creeps up silently – until a fracture occurs. Menopause leaves women especially vulnerable due to hormonal changes, but older men aren’t immune either. Experts point to inactivity as one of the biggest bone-health blunders for both men and women. Bones need regular weight-bearing activity to stay strong, and long stretches of sitting may accelerate bone loss over time. Your diet matters, too. Excess salt, soda and alcohol consumption may compromise your bone health, while too little protein can make it harder for the body to maintain both bone and muscle strength. Certain medications and smoking can also increase osteoporosis risk. The encouraging news? Bones remain surprisingly responsive to healthy habits throughout life. Resistance training, walking, balanced nutrition and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake can support bone strength, reduce fracture risk and help you maintain mobility over time. The earlier you support your bones, the better – but it’s rarely too late to “bone up” on skeleton-friendly behaviours. Sources: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease, Harvard Health, Cleveland Clinic 36 | www.snowbirds.org
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