| The skeleton is what holds the body up. Our | | | | necessary nutrients. Teaching children to enjoy |
| bones are vitally important to the proper and | | | | drinking things like milk, water, and natural fruit |
| useful functioning of our bodies. When our bones | | | | juice will help them develop healthier habits and |
| are harmed, things get dicey. Especially as we | | | | make healthier choices. If you have children, and |
| age, it is important to keep our bones healthy in | | | | you show them by example the importance of |
| order to avoid osteoporosis, or "brittle bones." | | | | eating and drinking healthier, they will see that it is |
| When the bones are brittle, then they are more | | | | something worthwhile. And you will be all the |
| prone to breaking. In the older population, this | | | | healthier for it as well! |
| means that a fall can seriously damage a bone. | | | | But developing strong, healthy bones, and then |
| Hip fractures and other such breakages are | | | | keeping them that way as you get older, is not |
| common from falls that just a few years ago | | | | just about what you eat. Exercise is an important |
| would have hardly raised a bruise. But in order for | | | | part of the healthy bones equation. It does not |
| one to have healthy bones as one ages, it is | | | | have to be all out high impact exercises |
| important to lay a solid foundation while young. | | | | everyday, but it should be something that gets |
| In order teach kids the importance of taking good | | | | you moving and active. Using your body will keep |
| care of themselves, a good example must be | | | | it in use, and help the bones maintain their ability |
| set, and they should be encouraged to enjoy the | | | | to hold your body. If you go outside for your |
| foods and activities that will help them keep their | | | | exercise, you can receive added benefits. Not |
| bones strong. Starting out with good habits at a | | | | only is the fresh air invigorating, but also the |
| young age makes it easier to continue the good | | | | exposure to the sun can help you create Vitamin |
| habits at an older age. And starting out young will | | | | D. Even when you are wearing sunscreen. 15 |
| ensure that one has a healthy foundation to build | | | | minutes a day in the sun is enough for you to get |
| upon. This is especially important when it comes | | | | the Vitamin D you need to help your bones |
| to building healthy bones. | | | | better absorb the nutrients that keep them |
| One of the things that is most detrimental to | | | | strong. |
| healthy bones is soda. If, instead of drinking | | | | While keeping your bones healthy can begin at |
| healthier things, one drinks soda, then that lowers | | | | any age and do some good, it is best to start |
| the amount of nutrients one is taking in. Sugary | | | | living healthy at a younger age. Then you will have |
| sports drinks are not much better. Three servings | | | | the strength in your bones to enjoy life as you |
| of dairy, or a dairy equivalent for the lactose | | | | progress through it. |
| intolerant and the vegan, are good ways to get | | | | |