Lifestyle

There are factors that put us at greater risk for fracturing a bone, which we cannot control, like our sex or age. However, there are behaviours that we can change to slow bone loss and prevent a fracture. For example, we can quit smoking and limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine we consume.

Smoking

Smoking increases bone loss. This may be because smokers are less able to absorb calcium. Smoking also interferes with the nourishment of bone tissue. Regardless of your age, quitting smoking is good for your bone health.

Alcohol

Try to drink no more than two alcoholic beverages a day. Having a drink or two a day has not been shown to be detrimental for women with osteoporosis, but excessive alcohol consumption decreases your body’s ability to absorb calcium and increases the amount of calcium you lose through the urine.

Caffeine

Some studies have found that drinking large amounts of caffeine (three cups of coffee or more) may increase your risk of a fracture if you do not get enough calcium. This is because caffeine increases the amount of calcium you lose in your urine. It is, however, safe to drink moderate amounts of caffeine (in coffee, tea and pop).

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