Amelia Grant

Bone loss, or osteoporosis, is a widespread condition that leads to weak and brittle bones, making them prone to fractures. Though osteoporosis tends to affect older adults, it still can occur in younger people. So, it’s essential to know some less obvious signs of bone loss.

1. Receding gums 

It’s not easy to spot receding gums at the early stages, as it happens over years. Your gums start to recede when your jawbone loses strength and bone mass. Your jawbone is the anchor of your teeth, and when it gets weak, your gums can detach from your teeth. A hallmark of receding gums is if you begin to lose teeth. As you age, ask a dental specialist to check up on your gum health during your annual visits. Even if you don’t have gum issues, you’ll still want to prevent visits to an implant dentist. So, keep up with preventive measures such as flossing and brushing regularly. You can also strengthen your jaw by chewing gum.

2. Muscle cramps, aches, and bone pain 

Muscle cramps and pains normally come with aging. However, they could be a sign of a more serious condition rather than just your body getting older. Frequent aches and pains are a hallmark of a vitamin D deficiency, which can contribute to bone weakness and loss. If you also experience frequent muscle cramps, it could indicate vitamin/mineral deficiencies. 

Muscle cramps primarily occur in the feet and legs. Leg cramps that happen at night usually mean that calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium blood levels are lower than normal. If these deficiencies are left untreated over a long period of time, it might contribute to bone loss.

3. Having low estrogen levels 

If you are a woman with low estrogen levels, pay attention to your bone health. Estrogen levels typically start to decline during menopause which can cause bone weakening. Fortunately, there is a solution. According to multiple studies, rapid bone loss in women after menopause can be effectively prevented by hormone replacement therapy.

If you’re unsure about your hormone levels, it’s a good idea to get checked out by an endocrinologist or another specialist who can help you with your problems. If you do have low levels of estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, frequent high-impact exercise, and a balanced, calcium-rich diet are the best options that can slow down your condition.

4. Height loss 

Unfortunately, height loss is a real thing and it occurs as you age. It’s caused by a decrease in your bone mass and the cartilage between your bones that wears down from years and years of heavy use. Getting shorter doesn’t always indicate bone issues, however, it could be a signal of the weakening of muscles around the spine. Since bone and muscle work in one unit and usually gain and lose strength in synchrony, it’s likely that a loss in muscle is linked to an eventual bone loss. 

5. Brittle nails 

Broken nails is a normal thing, however, if you’re noticing that your nails are breaking more often than usual, it might indicate a problem. Your nails can turn brittle for different reasons, but the two most prominent ones are collagen and calcium deficiencies. 

Collagen is a protein that’s involved in the protection of the skin, connective tissue, and skeleton. You can keep healthy collagen levels with foods such as berries, leafy greens, soy, and citrus. Calcium is a mineral that’s vital for your bone health. You can replenish your calcium with dairy products, as well as with dark leafy greens and sardines. If you’re lacking either of these skeletal superheroes, you’re likely to have negative results in your manicure.