It is an inevitable fact of life that our bodies become weaker as we age. However, this does not mean that we must resign to this fate and simply allow ourselves to fall apart as we get older. There are actually lots of things you can do to be proactive about your overall health and well being as you get older. One of many ways to achieve this is by supporting your bone health. This is especially important to think about if you are a born female; since women are more likely to develop osteoporosis with age. Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density and mass due to not getting enough calcium in your diet. This causes your bones to become brittle, and can make them extremely brittle and easily broken. So, if you are a senior living in Centennial, keep reading for more valuable information about how to support your bone health.

NOTE: Any change in diet and/or lifestyle should be cleared with your primary care provider first, to account for your individual needs and possible health conditions.

Supporting Your Bone Health Through Diet

The best kinds of nutrients to look for when it comes to foods for your bones include:

Calcium: edamame, fish, leafy greens, nuts, and squash
Vitamin D: eggs, good old fashioned sunshine, mushrooms, soy beans, and white beans
Protein: black beans, lentils, oatmeal, peanut butter, and tempeh

Of course, this does not mean that you can only eat foods high in these nutrients. Our bodies require a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in order to function properly. However, it is important to make sure you are getting enough of the above nutrients if you need to give your bones some extra support.

Supporting Your Bone Health Through Exercise

Just like you can use specific exercises to strengthen certain muscle groups, there are also specific exercises that can help strengthen your bones. Strengthening the muscles that hold your bones in place can help you be strong enough to withstand an injury without necessarily breaking a bone in the process. Of course, this is not a fool proof practice, but it could make all the difference when you need it most; and that is worth it. Some exercises you can try (with the proper safety precautions) to support your bone health include:

Dancing
Stair Climbing
Strength Training
Tennis/Pickleball
Walking/Hiking

Supporting Your Bone Health Through Lifestyle Choices

The final way you can go about supporting your bone health is to make healthy lifestyle choices. Avoid activities and substances that cause negative reactions in the body. When one part is out of whack, your whole body suffers. So, this means that a whole body approach to health can work out for your bones as well! Support your overall health with these goals:

Get enough sleep
Hydrate properly
Limit alcohol consumption
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit/avoid smoking

Our mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Centennial has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Holly Park provides outstanding independent living in Centennial.