Suzanne Hecht of the University of Minnesota recently emphasized the subtle but crucial importance of bone health, particularly in light of the aging process.Hecht, an associate professor and director of the U of M Sports Medicine Fellowship, provided thoughts on why it’s important to pay attention to your bones, according to an article published by the University of Minnesota.
As Hecht explained, your bones are constantly being made and broken, even while they support and enable your body in ways like safeguarding your organs and facilitating mobility. The creation of new bone decreases with age, according to Hecht, who also states that “poor bone health increases the risk of fractures and loss of function among other issues, particularly as we age.” Poor eating habits, inactivity, and lifestyle choices like smoking and binge drinking are all common factors that compromise bone health. More shockingly, it has been claimed that 60–70% of adults and children suffer from a calcium deficit.
Hecht elaborated on the long-term determinants of bone health, revealing that chronic illnesses and heredity are major contributors. Up to 90% of a person’s peak bone mass—basically, the bone density pinnacle usually attained between the ages of 25 and 30—can be mapped out by genetic factors. “The bone starts to break down more than it builds up around the age of 30,” Hecht told the University of Minnesota, pointing to a critical turning point in bone integrity maintenance. Chronic conditions and the drugs they cause can also have an impact, frequently weakening bones indirectly by reducing mobility.
At any age, Hecht recommends a diet and exercise program to counteract the deterioration in bone health. Weight-bearing activities and making sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D are given special attention. “Exercise stimulates increased bone formation, particularly weight-bearing exercises,”she noted. Hecht also emphasized the significance of risk factors, such as a family history of osteoporosis, and personal history when thinking about early bone density testing.
Through the efforts of experts like Hecht, the University of Minnesota is stepping up its efforts to combat the decline in bone health by funding patient care and education. In order to improve results, she helps optimize bone health prior to major surgeries in addition to diagnosing and treating patients with bone health issues. Hecht has been addressing problems like stress fractures and poor nutrition head-on since she has a personal stake in the bone health of young athletes.
The University of Minnesota and Hecht’s research highlight the importance of an underappreciated aspect of health, even though discussing bones might not be the focus of the next cocktail party. After all, a solid structural basis is not only a benefit; it is becoming more widely acknowledged as a crucial component of general well-being as one ages, thus it is a topic deserving of our collective attention.
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