Did you know estimates are one in two women and one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to let our Middlesex County patients know that May is National Osteoporosis Month and an excellent time to focus on the importance of bone strength for your feet (and the rest of your body). Approximately 25% of all the bones in your body are in your feet. And those bones are responsible for carrying the entire weight of the body as you walk, run and accomplish all your daily tasks.

Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can help you develop a plan to improve and maintain strong bones. The first step is knowing your risk for osteoporosis. Many people mistakenly assume weak bones and fractures occur naturally over time, but this is untrue. Certain factors can predispose you to this disease. These risk factors fall into two categories:

Risk Factors You Can’t Control:

• Age: being over 50
• Gender: females have a higher risk than males
• Menopause
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Body type: low body weight, small thin build at greater risk
• Height loss
• Previous bone fractures

Risk Factors You Can Control:

• Inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet
• Too much protein, sodium, and caffeine consumption
• Diet lacks fruits and vegetables
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Losing too much weight
• Excessive alcohol use

The doctor will go over all your risk factors and may recommend a bone density test if appropriate. This painless test can help assess the current health of your bones.

Building Stronger Bones

Fortunately, there are many ways you can improve bone strength at any age. These include: eating more calcium-rich foods or taking supplements to get the amounts you need, regularly engaging in weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, improving balance, and not smoking.

If you have questions about bone health and your feet, don’t hesitate to Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499.