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The treatments for osteoporosis include:
- Nutrition/supplements
- Medications
- Exercise
These three treatment methods all work in different ways to increase bone density. To maximize bone density, it is important to include 
ALL three components!
I created an analogy to show you how each of these three methods work together. Our bones are like a bucket of water with a hole in the bottom and a faucet on the top.
Water is draining out of the bucket through the hole at the bottom. Fresh water is entering the bucket through the faucet on the top.
This is how our bones work. Your bones are removing old bone material, and new bone material is being added.
How Nutrition and Supplements Treat Osteoporosis
Nutrition and supplements are important in bone creation. A balanced diet has calcium and vitamin D which are necessary for bone formation.
Calcium is the mineral that makes up our bones and we need vitamin D so that the body can absorb the calcium taken in. Without vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium no matter how much calcium you consume.
Research has shown that nutrition and supplements are effective in improving bone density.
In the analogy above, eating well and taking supplements is like adding water into the bucket.
How Medications Treat Osteoporosis
There are two types of medications that are often prescribed for osteoporosis management. These medications are antiresorptive and anabolic agents.
Research has shown that these medications are effective in slowing down the rate of bone loss as you age. This in turn improves bone density.
In the analogy above, these medications work to plug the hole in the bottom of the bucket so water leaks out at a slower rate.
How Exercise Treats Osteoporosis
As mentioned earlier, our bones are a living and ever-changing tissue.
One way this tissue adapts and changes, is in response to weight bearing and resistance exercises.
When we use our muscles to lift weights, they grow and become stronger in response to the load.
Research has shown that like muscles, bones becomes stronger when put under heavier demands. Heavier demands include weight bearing and resistance exercises.
A sedentary lifestyle is your enemy with osteoporosis! A great example of this is a casted broken bone. When the casted bone is not used, the bone will atrophy in comparison to its counterpart.
Examples of weight bearing exercises that can spur bone growth are:
- Walking
- Running
- Jumping
- Dancing
- Climbing stairs
Weight training with weight machines, free weights or resistance bands increases the load on your bones. Thus, the bones strengthen.
For example, astronauts lose tremendous amounts of bone density when on space missions. So NASA has been engaging in extensive research on how to improve the bone density of astronauts.
NASA has found that simulating weight-bearing and resistance exercises on space missions increased bone formation so astronauts could maintain bone density.2
Another benefit of strength training with osteoporosis, is greater stability. Greater stability decreases falls and less falls means a lower fracture risk!
A good program includes weight bearing exercises, resistance exercises, balance, flexibility, posture strengthening, daily activity modification and home modification for fall prevention.
In the analogy above, weight bearing and resistance exercises help put water into the bucket. Also, its a natural treatment for osteoporosis!
All this talk about exercise may have your mind racing with questions. Don’t worry! Keep reading and I can help!
Join now to get my free exercise checklist with the best exercises to help you fight osteoporosis!
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How All 3 Treatments for Osteoporosis Work Together
Nutrition/supplements, medications and exercise all work together to build bone density.
Each treatment for osteoporosis works in different ways. Thus they are ALL crucial and important components in osteoporosis management.
A couple pieces of evidence supporting this are discussed below.
NASA found the best way for astronauts to avoid bone loss during missions in space is to have a proper diet with calcium and vitamin D, take medications and to perform simulated resistance exercises.14
Each component of osteoporosis is UNIQUE!
A study in the ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal found that the greatest impact on bone health occurred when the nutrition/supplements, medications, and regular exercise are used in combination.3
Again, each component is UNIQUE!
Can you see the point I’m trying to make here?!?!
A specific and targeted exercise program is the critical third treatment option! And as a bonus, exercise is a natural treatment for osteoporosis!
You cannot get the added benefit that exercise offers in treating osteoporosis with nutrition or hormones. Each treatment works in its own way!
The Osteoporosis Treatment Area Doctors Miss
While research has shown exercise is a critical part of treatment for osteoporosis, it is often overlooked.
In my experience, when patients first get diagnosed with osteoporosis, doctors will recommend hormone replacement therapy and calcium supplements to help slow down the disease progress.
However, weight bearing exercises or resistance exercises are either not mentioned or not discussed in detail.
You are only hearing about two of the three components!
Exercise and Osteoporosis Questions
If your doctor does vaguely mention exercise as a treatment for osteoporosis, you may have questions like:
- What if I’ve never worked out before? Will I be able to do it?
- What does weight-bearing or resistance exercise mean?
- Do I need to join a gym?
Do I need to lift weights/use bands and how heavy?- What about my other health and orthopedic conditions?
- What types of exercise are unsafe?
- How often should I exercise and for how long?
- What daily activities or movements should I avoid?
I will answer all your questions and MORE!
FREE STARTER COURSE HERE!
Learn MORE here!
What is Osteoporosis and What are the Risks?
6 Tips to Prevent Falls at Home When You Have Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis and Weight Bearing Exercises
