Blueberries Fight Osteoporosis

New studies show that blueberries fight osteoporosis. This is just one more great reason to add this delicious super food to your diet.

What is osteoporosis?

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, "Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist."

When this disease has progressed, bones can break from simple actions even as small as a sneeze.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation is a great resource for information about this disease.

Blueberries and Osteoporosis

One study done on rats show that the nutrients in blueberries may prevent the weakening of bones occurring after menopause. In this study, female rats had their ovaries removed so that they would be in the same condition as post-menopausal women.

These researchers from Florida State University and Oklahoma State University published their findings in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. They found that the group which was fed blueberries did not have the bone loss found in the control group.

This could be another benefit of the high antioxidant capacity of blueberries. Other reasons why blueberries could help is the high content of vitamins which are important for good health as well as preventing osteoporosis.

Research shows that about 85-90% of adult bone mass is acquired when we are young. It is important to build strong bones during childhood and adolescence which can help to prevent osteoporosis later in life. Eating blueberries is one great way you can get your kids to eat healthy and prevent disease.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, there are five important steps you can take to help your bones stay healthy:

• Get the daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
• Engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
• Have a bone density test and take medication when appropriate

A healthy lifestyle and eating the right way are the best ways to optimize your health. Blueberries can be an important part of eating right and fight osteoporosis.

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