The Skeletal System - Taking care: keeping the skeletal system healthy

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Photo by: Alexander Yakovlev

Like every other system in the body, the skeletal system is affected by age. As people grow older, bone tissue tends to lose more calcium than is replaced. This is especially true for women who have gone through menopause (period in a woman's life when menstrual activity ceases).

An individual can lessen the effects of aging on the skeletal system (like every other system in the body) by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting adequate rest, reducing stress, drinking healthy amounts of good-quality drinking water, not smoking, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (or not drinking at all), following a proper diet, and exercising regularly.

A proper diet and exercise are key factors in maintaining the health of the skeletal system. To help slow the rate of bone loss later in life, it is important to build as much bone mass as possible early in life. Without calcium, phosphorus, protein, certain vitamins (A, C, and D), and other nutrients, bones cannot grow properly.

Bones are specialized to bear or carry weight. Without this stress, they lose calcium. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that bones have to be physically stressed to remain healthy. The more they are used, the stronger they become. Exercising regularly builds and strengthens bones. Weight-bearing exercises—where bones and muscles are used against gravity—are best. These include aerobics, dancing, jogging, stair climbing, walking, tennis, and lifting weights. The exercise need not be too strenuous, but it should be engaged in regularly.