Why It's Never Too Early to Start Protecting Your Bone Health

Health goals often include topics like heart, brain, and skin health. But your true health goes deeper — all the way to your bones. 

Many people overlook their bone health until there’s a problem. But your bones are the framework of your body and deserve your attention. 

Here at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, our focus on primary care, women’s health, geriatric care, and family medicine means we take a special interest in your bone health.

May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, so it’s the perfect time to talk about why bone health matters at every age. Read on for ways to preserve strong bones now, before osteopenia or osteoporosis sets in.

Strong bones should be a lifelong priority

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them more prone to fractures. While it’s often associated with older adults, especially postmenopausal women, bone loss can begin silently in your 30s and 40s. 

By time symptoms show up, you probably have a fair amount of bone loss and degradation. 

It’s never too early to prioritize building stronger bones and reducing your risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Early prevention matters

Your bone mass peaks in your late 20s to early 30s. After that, your bone tissue remodels, but doesn’t increase. After age 50, bone mass starts to diminish. 

The stronger your bones are at their peak, the more you can afford to lose without significant impact — making those early years critical for building a solid foundation.

Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until they break a bone, often from something as minor as a bump or fall. 

Prevention is key because you can’t feel your bones weakening. Routine checkups at our office and early screenings can identify risk factors before they become serious.

While women are at higher risk due to hormonal changes after menopause, osteoporosis is not just a topic of women’s health. Men can develop osteoporosis too, especially with age, low testosterone, or other chronic conditions. Everyone benefits from paying attention to bone health.

Tips to strengthen your bones at any age

Here’s how to start taking care of your bones now, no matter your age:

Get enough calcium and vitamin D

These two nutrients are critical for bone formation and maintenance. Dairy, leafy greens, fortified foods, and safe sun exposure can help.

Do weight-bearing and resistance exercises 

Walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training all help stimulate bone growth. Aim for at least two workouts per week that train most major muscle groups.

Limit smoking and alcohol

Both can reduce bone density and increase your risk of fractures. If you need help kicking a habit, reach out to our team. We can help.

Know your family history

Osteoporosis can run in families, so let us know if there’s a history of bone fractures or weakness. We can help you understand what screenings you need and when to start them.  If you're over 50, postmenopausal, or have risk factors like low body weight or previous fractures, we may recommend a DEXA scan.

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, we care about your whole-body health. A sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can weaken all of your body, including your bones, overtime.

Schedule an appointment today to talk about bone health screenings, lifestyle tips, and personalized prevention strategies. Reach out to us at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology. 

Call our office or use our online tool to schedule an appointment today at our West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, practice, conveniently located near Boston.