Although broken bones aren’t uncommon, they’re preventable. The stronger your skeleton, the less likely you are to damage it with falls, sports injuries, and accidents. Everyday habits can raise or lower bone density, so try to work these tips into your lifestyle.

How to Avoid Broken Bones

1. Eat Right

You’ve probably heard that dairy products are helpful because of their calcium content, but there’s more you can do to improve your diet. You also need vitamin C to promote bone cell growth and health and vitamin D to allow your body to absorb calcium. Your daily vitamin C can come from citrus fruits and vegetables, and in addition to getting plenty of sunlight, you can get vitamin D from fatty fish and cheese.

2. Exercise

Your bones are also made of living tissue that gets healthier and more developed the harder it works. Weight training and resistance exercises will help you prevent broken bones in the future. Anything active can be turned into a workout, including hiking, dancing, kayaking, and swimming at the beach.

3. Quit Addictions

Smoking has been shown to slow bone growth and speed the breakdown of cells. Quit smoking immediately to care for your body and skeleton. Additionally, too much alcohol can change the balance of calcium in your body and lower your bone density, so drink in moderation if you drink at all.

If you’re worried about broken bones, visit Peter A. Matsuura, M.D., and his team in Hilo, HI, for health and lifestyle suggestions that are tailored to your needs. Serving patients of all ages across the Big Island, Dr. Matsuura is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and provides surgical and non-surgical treatment to address a wide range of injuries. See a full list of their services online, or call (808) 969-3331 to schedule a consultation.