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Everyone’s bones weaken with age.But there are things people can do to protect them and keep from getting osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones."The bones become so weak and thin that they break easily, some fractures, like hip fractures, can be fatal.
Two hundred million people have osteoporosis worldwide and the number is expected to shoot up dramatically as people age.
Inactivity is one risk factor, but even active people can have low bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis.
Every week, Dean Hargett bikes more than 160 kilometers.It’s good for his heart but it doesn’t do much for his bones, Hargett was shocked to discover he had low bone density.
It alarmed me…I don’t want to have fragile bones.I want to be able to, to be, you know, strong and healthy throughout the rest of my life."
“About one in four men will have an osteoporotic-related fracture in their lifetime.”
Over a 12-month period,University of Missouri researcher Pam Hinton studied how resistance and jump-training exercises affected men’s bone health.The results showed these exercises did more than just slow the rate of bone loss.
“We actually saw an increase in bone mass with either type of exercise, so that was a very encouraging and exciting result.”
The exercises decreased the level of sclerostin, a protein that slows bone growth.While they increased a hormone that promotes bone growth.
Hargett now knows he has to do more than cycle and swim to strengthen his bones.
“Don’t take your bone strength for granted, they can wither just like any other part of your body, use it or lose it. ”
Weightlifting is now a regular part of Hargett’s exercise routine, getting enough calcium and vitamin D also helps.And if you smoke, quit.
Carol Pearson, VOA news, Washington.
