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Osteoporosis could easily be called the young persons disease because it is before age 35 that the seeds of this insidious disease are sown. You may have thought osteoporosis only strikes little old ladies, but this silent thief is sweeping the world, largely due to unhealthy lifestyle habits starting in childhood and it is literally stealing our bones out from under us at astonishing rates. There is a direct parallel between our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the rising epidemic proportions of this crippling disease. If you lose muscle strength you will lose bone strength, density and mass as well. And you will lose both if you don't work at keeping them over the course of your lifetime. Unless we prevent it, our strength will drop by almost half by the time we reach 65 years.
Research shows the greater the muscle tissue loss the higher the incidence of weak, thinning, brittle bones. Muscles are attached to bones and when a muscle is contracted against resistance it pulls on the bone. This mechanical loading makes the bone grow thicker and gain mass to protect itself while under stress thus leading to stronger bone. To create the necessary load to strengthen bones, proper exercise is essential. Not just any old form of exercise will do - recreational activities like running, biking, swimming are great for just that, recreation, but do little to stress the skeleton. Strength training exercise grows strong dense bones and strong toned muscles to protect against the villain osteoporosis. This type of exercise also has the advantage of strengthening all of the muscles of the body reducing the risk of bone shattering falls by improving balance and coordination We have learned a lot with the passing years, we now know that these losses of muscle and bone strength are not a result of the aging process but merely the result of our inactive lifestyles. But unlike other unchangeable aspects of getting older osteoporosis is not inevitable. It can be prevented, slowed and even reversed if the proper steps are taken now, while you are young. A proper exercise program needs to be started and maintained throughout ones life. This program must contain at least 60% strength training exercise and be performed at the correct level of intensity to achieve results. Find yourself a fitness professional to get started and learn the skills you need to learn to make your program safe, effective and as enjoyable as possible. So whether you're 20-something or 70-something, you can strengthen your bones. Like your car that requires quality petrol, oil and regular maintenance, your body requires proper, ongoing care if you want to keep it running right. By simply incorporating regular strength training exercise throughout adulthood, you can help keep your bones in peak condition for years to come. After all, your body is the vehicle you will be using to transport yourself in for the rest of your life. Fortunately, it is never too late to put the brakes on bone loss, just get started right away.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here: Fountain of Youth For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.
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