Bone health and lifestyle
Bone health and lifestyle advice
Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of osteoporosis and fragility fracture. Regular exercise to improve muscle strength helps to reduce this risk. Useful lifestyle guidance:
- Encourage walking, especially outdoors, as this will increase exposure to sunlight and increase vitamin D production
- Vitamin D supplements, particularly during winter months, are recommended
- Advise on a balanced diet as this may improve bone health
- Stopping smoking is important as smoking is a risk factor for fragility fracture
- Alcohol is a dose-dependent risk factor for fragility fracture, so moderation in consumption will also be beneficial.