Behaviors That Protect & Promote The Health Of The Skeletal System

The skeletal system works in concert with the body's other systems to keep a person healthy. As the University of Maryland Medical Center points out, the diverse and intricate functions of the skeletal system make it vulnerable to conditions that may require medical care, including including noncancerous disorders, cancers originating within the bone and cancers that act upon or affect the bone. Engaging in healthy behaviors can protect and promote the skeletal system's health.

Diet

Eating a proper diet can promote skeletal system health and prevent osteoporosis or bone mineral density loss. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and 18 million have low bone mass, which predisposes them to osteoporosis.

A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is vital. The suggested daily intake of calcium and vitamin D depends on a person's age. The best sources of calcium include dairy products and dark green leafy vegetables. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln notes that the main dietary sources of vitamin D are fortified milk and cold saltwater fish, such as salmon, halibut and herring. Vitamin D is also manufactured in the skin after direct exposure to sunlight.

Exercise

Weight-bearing exercise can have profound effects on the skeletal system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity, especially weight-bearing exercise, is associated with numerous health benefits, including strong bones and a healthy skeletal system. The CDC states that, like sufficient calcium consumption, adequate weight-bearing activity—any activity in which the body works against gravity—at a young age is important for achieving peak bone mass.

Weight-bearing exercise stimulates the growth and cellular processes of muscle and bones. Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging or running, tennis or racquetball, field hockey, stair climbing, jumping rope, basketball, dancing, hiking, soccer and resistance training. The CDC notes that incorporating weight-bearing activities into an exercise plan not only keeps a person's bones healthy but also meets the physical activity recommendations established in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Protection

Wearing appropriate equipment for work or sport helps protect the skeletal system. This includes wearing seat belts in any moving vehicle and using the proper protective gear when participating in sports, especially contact sports such as football, hockey and lacrosse.

Those who are elderly or susceptible to balance problems should take care to minimize the risk of a fall and subsequent bone damage. Wearing shoes with nonskid rubber soles and using devices such as canes, walkers, poles and grab bars can reduce the likelihood of a fall. Regular assessment of hearing and vision is also recommended.

Medication

Bone-building medications may help bolster the skeletal system's strength. Many such medications have been developed in recent years, and most are available only by prescription. Some are taken orally, while others are injected, given intravenously or applied through skin patches. All medications have potential side effects that patients should discuss with their physicians.