Bones, that form our skeletal structure are extremely vital as they not only store calcium and provide a structure to the body but also protect organs and anchor muscles. Bones are living connective tissue that is continuously changing, old bones get broken down and get replaced with newly formed ones, a process known as bone remodelling. Several studies suggest that with age, bones get brittle, making them prone to fractures and breaking. This happens mainly due to the gradual reduction of bone mass. When a person is younger, the body creates bone mass at a faster pace than it breaks down, while increasing the total bone mass. As the person gradually ages, this process slows down and by the age of 30, most people reach the peak bone mass. In the 30’s and 40’s this bone mass is lost faster than it’s created resulting in a condition medically termed as Osteopenia.

What Exactly Is Osteopenia?

Osteopenia is a medical condition where a person loses bone mineral mass, causing the bone density to be lower than normal peak density but the loss is not as low to be classified as osteoporosis. It usually leads to bone weakening and an increased risk of bone fractures. If the condition is left untreated for a long time, Osteopenia slowly advances and becomes Osteoporosis where the bone density reduces considerably.

Although osteopenia is common in both men and women but the female counterpart loses bone mass more quickly after menopause, due to lower estrogen levels. Right from having a family history of low bone density, being in the 40’s or 50’s, having menopause before the age of 45 for women, removal of ovaries before menopause, not getting enough exercise, drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, following a diet lacking calcium and vitamin D or smoking or using other forms of tobacco, Osteopenia can occur due to several factors. Since there are not much characteristic symptoms, apart from localised bone pains, stooped posture, decreased height, and weakness once a person attains the age of 45 years, it is advised to people above 35 to go for bone mineral density test every year.

It’s never too late to start protecting your bones, by “banking” them early in life during the childhood and adolescence period. Although the peak bone mass varies from person to person, studies reveal, that the higher the peak bone mass, the more bone one has 'in the bank’ to spare and the less likely one is to develop osteopenia or osteoporosis at a later stage.

How To Prevent Osteopenia?

While a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is quintessential for healthy body and bones, if you want a surer shot at increasing bone mineral density right from adulthood, here comes Ayurveda as your knight in shining armour. This traditional remedial science brings certain ayurvedic treatments and natural herbs and spices that not only prevents osteopenia and inhibits it from turning into osteoporosis but also increases bone density and bone mass.

Foray through this infographic to know about the amazing ayurvedic herbs that improve bone health naturally.