National Osteoporosis Month: Resources for health and prevention

May might be nearly over, however National Osteoporosis Month highlights a national health issue that affects more than 50 million Americans. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body does not make enough bone, or when the body loses too much of it. These issues can also happen simultaneously. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, "The disease causes an estimated two million broken bones every year." Our bones are a living, growing organism made of collagen, or the protein that provides the infrastructure and calcium, which provides the strengthening features. Our bodies continue to create new bone as we lose old bone, however there are a variety of lifestyle and dietary choices, medical procedures and other health conditions that can impact whether or not we're giving our bodies what it needs to keep our bones strong and healthy. Below, find a number of informational resources* to help guide you and your family toward optimal bone health, which can be referenced long after National Osteoporosis Month concludes. A good place to gain a better understanding of Osteoporosis is with The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF); an organization that has been dedicated to the awareness and prevention of the disease for more than 30 years. NOF offers a wealth of knowledge on preventing bone fractures, including:

• Basic osteoporosis facts
• What to eat for optimal bone health
• Exercises one can do regularly to strengthen bones
• How to communicate with your physician about bone health and Osteoporosis concerns

Additionally, for readers of this blog post who don't yet know much about Cal-EZ (that's us!), we are a calcium and vitamin D powder supplement that can support your calcium needs. From a dietary perspective, you may find our recent posts by our nutritionist Danielle Omar helpful. They include:

• The importance of calcium in kids (she even provides a kid-friendly smoothie recipe to try)
• The top superfoods women over 50 should be eating (including yogurt, which is an excellent source of calcium)
• Health strategies for stronger bones, more energy and better sleep

On a similar note, osteoporosis isn't just a concern for older women but for Millennials as well. In this post, read on to learn about making calcium "deposits" before the age of 30 is similar to making regular investments to a savings account. Runners and athletes should also be aware that they may be at risk for developing Osteoporosis, as calcium can be lost through sweat, especially if a training routine is long and rigorous (like preparing for a marathon). In this case, check out this post for the top superfoods to incorporate into meal planning while training. Pregnant and/or nursing? Make sure you're getting enough calcium for the entire family. This post helps to explain. *The Cal-EZ team always recommends consulting your physician with any health questions. SaveSave