Osteoporosis: should you stop exercising?

I spoke to someone yesterday. He is fifty-nine, diagnosed with osteoporosis. He was advised to not undertake any form of physical activity or exercise, lest he break a bone.

So, should you stop exercising if you have osteoporosis?

Let me disclaim first, so that there is no misunderstanding. Each person’s situation is unique. Make decisions based on complete information.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak. They can break more easily than normal. There are many potential reasons. Arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, eating disorders, deficiencies of vitamins, to name a few.

So, given the risk of bones breaking, not doing anything strenuous makes sense doesn’t it?

Well, yes, and no.

Osteoporosis weakens the bone. But your bones also turn over. You make new bone cells all the time. In about ten years, all your bones are new.

Bones have an inlet through which blood is infused. When you walk, for example, the rate at which blood refreshes your bone is twenty times. More blood means more nutrition and oxygen and better bone turnover.

When you stress your bone, even by standing, for example, the strain strengthens your bone.

Exercise strengthens your bones.

So then why do doctors advise you to not exercise? The answer is that you can injure yourself if you do something silly. Over strain yourself. Do too much. If, god forbid, your bones break, there will be hell to pay.

So what should you do?

The best answer is to consult someone who understands how to strengthen bones. Someone who can guide you to start with mild forms of strain.

Just standing or walking, if that is where you are at. The best form is resistance or weight training. But use someone who knows what they are doing to do what is appropriate for you.

Slowly gradually, as your bones get stronger, you can increase the strain. With each passing day, you will get stronger.

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