Why you need to take extra care for your bones post menopause
Introduction
Menopause is an event that occurs in every women’s life once they turn a certain age. As we all know, the estrogen levels in the body starts declining resulting in the cessation of periods and fertility. But is this declining estrogen anyway related to your bone health? Does the occurrence of menopause lead to weakness in your bones or muscle fatigue? The answer is yes, menopause and bone health infact are interlinked to one another and that’s why you need to take appropriate measures to make sure that your bones stay strong even after menopause.
How estrogen affects bones and muscles
The estrogen in your body helps to enhance the absorption of calcium from your intestines which contributes in strengthening bones as well as helps to prevent excessive bone loss. It provides like a balance between bone formation and bone breakdown which helps us maintain optimal bone density. However, during menopause, when estrogen levels decline, this effect also diminishes leading to an increased risk of bone loss that causes consistent joint pain. As bone loss makes your bones really fragile, you become more susceptible to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Not just your bones, but estrogen also helps in maintaining muscle mass by promoting protein synthesis. It helps in muscle contraction that gives you extra strength during activities that require muscle exertion. It also boosts energy production within muscle cells however, a decline in estrogen levels will lead to a decrease in the energy production, a gradual loss of muscle mass and a decrease in muscle strength, which will lead to increased muscle fatigue
How to support bone and muscle health
Make sure that you are consuming enough calcium daily. It could either be through your diet like consuming dairy products and green leafy vegetables, or you can also take calcium supplements. Vitamin D is very important for the absorption of calcium so make sure you are getting proper sun exposure. Nutraceuticals can offer great combination of important nutrients required for everyday nutritional meets as well as help to target specific concerns like joint pain. Regular exercise on the other hand, can help you build and maintain muscle mass.
