Sure, getting in shape to look great and feel good about yourself is a great reason to go and hit the weights. But did you know that the greatest benefit of strength training is its effect on bone density? It’s true. By starting a weightlifting program you can reverse osteoporosis and bone loss.
Bone Loss Increases As We Age
The old adage that if you don’t use it you lose it is true in this case. Data shows that most people typically have the greatest bone density around age 30.
Cells in our body are constantly dying and being created. When we are younger and growing, the number of bone cells that are being created are outnumbering the ones that are dying. This leads to our body’s growth and increased bone density.
Somewhere around 30, it begins to reverse and our bones become progressively weaker. This could eventually put us at risk for things like Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.
Depending on how much bone you had and the rate at which you lose it will determine if you eventually get these diseases. And ultimately, these issues can potentially lead to greater health issues such as a hip injury and fracture which can lead to death.
Your family history, nutrition, and activity levels all play a role in determining the outcome. Also, it is important to consider that females have less bone to begin with than males, so they are at an even greater risk.
Omega-3 fatty acids also play a key role in slowing bone loss. By increasing your intake of Omega-3, it serves to deliver calcium to your bones to make them stronger. This could play a key role in preventing Osteoporosis. Click here for more information about Omega-3’s and your health.
Reversing Bone Loss Will Reverse Osteoporosis
As bone loss increases our bone density decreases.
It will eventually lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis if nothing is done about it. The key phrase is “if nothing is done about it.”
The earlier that you begin a strength training program the easier it is to avoid significant bone loss.
With a tool called a Dexa Scan, you are able to measure bone density, muscle mass, and total fat in the body. As these machines become more popular they are available to use in more and more areas. And because of the availability, more people are taking their health into their own hands and seeing the results.
A typical Dexa scan in a clinic usually runs between $50-$200 for a complete scan with a detailed printout.
The biggest customer base is athletes and people who are strength training. This is vital because the results are clear. When doing a strength training routine, bone density increases.
This fact was also echoed in various scientific studies. This particular article from 1999 also reiterates that numerous studies over the previous 10 years have shown that resistance training increases bone density and can reverse osteoporosis.
Conclusion
Without taking the proper precautionary measures, significant bone loss as we age will be a reality for many people. This loss of bone density will have an enormous impact on the quality of your life as you age.
The good news is that science has proven that we can reverse osteoporosis and bone loss by incorporating a resistance training routine.
The earlier you start, the faster you can begin reversing bone loss that has already occurred.
So the only question is, what are you waiting for?