Why Women Are More Susceptible to Osteoporosis and How to Protect Your Bones

Why Women Are More Susceptible to Osteoporosis and How to Protect Your Bones

Mother’s Day is a good time to focus on women’s health. Women have unique health concerns compared to men. One health issue that disproportionately impacts women is osteoporosis. ​Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and increased fracture risk. 

Women are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis, approximately 18.8% of women 50 and older are diagnosed with the condition, compared to 4.2% of men. As a woman, how can you reduce your risk of osteoporosis and keep your bones healthy throughout life?

Women and Osteoporosis

Why are women more at risk of osteoporosis? The disparity between men and women is primarily due to hormonal changes during menopause, leading to a decline in estrogen levels that negatively impact bone formation. ​

Additionally, women generally have lower peak bone mass and smaller bones than men, making them more susceptible to bone loss. Other risk factors include advanced age, family history of osteoporosis, low body weight, and certain lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption. ​

Preventing Osteoporosis for Women 

Prevention of osteoporosis is a lifelong endeavor requiring a healthy lifestyle, the right nutrients, exercise, and when necessary medical interventions. Bones are dynamic, continuously remodeling throughout life to maintain their strength and integrity. But if the right nutrients to rebuild the bone are not present, then this is when the bones begin to weaken. A focus on quality nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can help keep bones strong. Starting with nutrition, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential for bone health. Calcium is a fundamental building block for bones, while vitamin D helps support calcium absorption. Other nutrients that also play a role in bone health include magnesium and vitamin K. 

A balanced diet that includes fortified dairy and green leafy vegetables will help meet those nutritional needs. Supplementation with a bone strength formula that includes these important nutrients can also be added to your bone health routine.

But nutrition isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to bone health. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking or resistance training, can strengthen bones and improve balance, reducing fracture risk. Finally, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol can keep bones strong throughout life. ​

Finally, regular monitoring of bone density is another important part of keeping bones strong, especially for women approaching menopause. Bone density tests can help detect early signs of osteoporosis, allowing your healthcare provider to make tailored recommendations to slow bone loss. If you are approaching menopause, consider consulting with a healthcare provider about bone health and potential treatments, such as hormone therapy or medications that can be beneficial. ​

Naturelo and Women’s Health

For women looking to support their bone health or for those concerned about the health of women in their lives this Mother’s Day, Naturelo offers a range of products tailored to women’s unique health concerns. This line of products not only includes our Plant-based Bone Strength supplement, but also a vegan K2 + D3 and a plant-based D3 from lichen. 

Pairing these plant-based supplements with a balanced diet and regular physical activity significantly contributes to maintaining strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in women, so they can enjoy many Mother’s Days to come.

References:

  1. Osteoporosis. Published December 26, 2023. Accessed March 3, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/osteoporosis.htm   

  2. Pouresmaeili F, Kamalidehghan B, Kamarehei M, Goh YM. A comprehensive overview on osteoporosis and its risk factors. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2018;14:2029-2049.   

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