If you're a woman, you probably know that as you age, you have a greater chance than a man of developing osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone mass that causes your bones to be more susceptible to fracture. Pregnancy, menstruation, and hormones all play a role in putting women at greater risk.
There are some risk factors you cannot control: for example, the health of your bones at birth was largely determined by your mother's diet before and during pregnancy. But there are things you can do to keep your bones - or the bones of someone you care for - as healthy as possible. During adolescence and young adulthood, eat calcium-rich foods to build peak (maximum) bone mass. Take iron supplements: menstruation literally takes iron out of you, so a woman needs more iron than a man. Also, do your unborn child a favor - even if you don't plan to be pregnant for years - by eating a healthy diet today.
At Mercy Health Partners, we have programs and services specifically designed to help women keep their bones healthy. To learn about theses services, click Mercy Health Partners' Services for Healthy Bones.
To learn more about Pregnancy Nutrition, visit Mercy Health Partners' Pregnancy Center.
To read articles about improving bone mass at any age, click on one of these topics:
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