Choose weight-bearing exercise, such as strength training, walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing. This type of physical activity can help build and strengthen your bones. Don't smoke. Smoking increases your risk of weakened bones.
Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, and climbing stairs, can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss.
The short answer is no, osteoporosis cannot be completely reversed and is not considered curable, but there are a number of health and lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve bone loss. Your provider may also prescribe you medications to help rebuild and slow down bone loss.
Good-for-Your-Bones Foods
Some dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D. Collard greens, turnip greens, kale, okra, Chinese cabbage, dandelion greens, mustard greens and broccoli. Spinach, beet greens, okra, tomato products, artichokes, plantains, potatoes, sweet potatoes, collard greens, prunes and raisins.
Certain food and drinks can help prevent bone loss, and according to Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook, and a member of our medical expert board, cow's milk is the number one drink for preventing bone loss.
You can reverse the loss of bone density with medical therapies that may slow, maintain, or even increase your bone density. Your doctor may recommend taking certain medications to prevent or treat bone loss, and some may even help you rebuild bone density.
Just 30 minutes of exercise each day can help strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, such as yoga, tai chi, and even walking, help the body resist gravity and stimulate bone cells to grow. Strength-training builds muscles which also increases bone strength.
Vitamin D supplementation may decrease bone turnover and increase bone mineral density. Several randomized placebo-controlled trials with vitamin D and calcium showed a significant decrease in fracture incidence. However, very high doses of vitamin D once per year may have adverse effects.
You can prevent bone loss with regular exercise, such as walking. If you have osteoporosis or fragile bones, regular brisk walking can help to keep your bones strong and reduce the risk of a fracture in the future.
Foods that are high in potassium can also build bone health. Tomatoes, potatoes, papayas, oranges, and bananas are all excellent sources of this nutrient. Raisins and orange juice are also good options, but be aware of the possible added sugars in these foods.
Phytates bind calcium.
Phytates found in whole-grains, legumes (dried beans), nuts and soy products bind the calcium of other foods eaten when they are eaten at the same time. When calcium is bound, the body cannot use it.
Bone loss begins to occur at an approximate rate of 0.25% a year and is variable depending on many genetic and environmental factors. This may be considered the second stage towards osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. It is important to understand that this is a perfectly normal part of the aging process.
Getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet can help maintain bone strength and lessen your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Romosozumab (Evenity).
This is the newest bone-building medication to treat osteoporosis. It is given as an injection every month at your doctor's office and is limited to one year of treatment.
Drink Plain Water
Water lubricates joints and helps bring calcium and other nutrients to your bones. Although they may appear to be, bones are not dry. In fact, they are about 30 percent water, so the amount of water you drink helps keep bones and bone marrow functioning the way they should.