Which is more attractive? A or B?
It’s not a hard choice and I’m willing to bet you all picked A – She looks healthy, happy, strong and she exudes confidence! A woman’s posture (and men’s…but we’ll stick to women for the purposes of this post) can say a lot about her attitude towards health. A poor posture like the one in picture B, shows possible signs of poor nutrition and lifestyle.
For most of us, it’s a well-known fact that women are at risk for low bone density or osteopenia. Osteopenia is a pre-cursor to osteoporosis, in which bones become very fragile and break easily. Most bone densities don’t decrease until post-menopause, but it’s important to build and maintain bone integrity at an early age to prevent risk of osteoporosis. How can everyone do this? Read on!
Crazy for Calcium
Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth and proper function of the heart, muscles and nerves. Our body cannot produce calcium on its own, so we must absorb it through food.
More “D” in the Diet!
Vitamin D is important for the absorption and metabolism of calcium in the bone. Vitamin D also plays a role in teeth formation and nerve & muscle activity. Unlike calcium, our bodies can make vitamin D from sun exposure to bare skin.
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Calcium |
Vitamin D |
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Get Physical!
Cardio activity and weight bearing exercises are essential to build bone mass. Gentle pressure on the bone tissue stimulates them to grow healthy and strong. The harder you push the bone (without causing injury) the more your body will respond by depositing calcium and other minerals into the bone. Think of the term “use it or lose it” !
Remember: No slouching! Keep a straight posture when sitting in class, at work or driving in your car!
Stand up for yourself! Good posture will keep you looking beautiful & feeling great!
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov
Great post, Rylee!
I often don’t pay attention to my posture but this will definitely get me noticing how I sit.