The secret to better posture might not be what you think

 

There’s something incredibly alluring about a woman with good posture.

Not only does a beautifully straight back communicate confidence, grace and strength, it also keeps us looking youthful too. But there’s no stopping that dreaded stoop when our bones start to weaken. Don’t panic! Developing a hunched back is not inevitable, as long as we maintain good bone health.

Why bone health matters

Once we hit our 30s, we’re usually preoccupied with the first appearance of wrinkles, or weight gain due to a decreasing metabolism. Unfortunately, this is also when our bones begin to break down1. But because it’s not apparent, protecting bones ranks pretty low on our priority list… and sometimes we even speed up bone deterioration with nutrient-deprived crash diets.

When osteoporosis strikes, it isn’t pretty. It can weaken our spine and cause an uncomfortable stoop, it can hinder our movement and prevent us from enjoying our favourite activities, and it can increase the risk of fracture. The ramifications of neglecting bone health can be very scary. So what can we do?

 

Load up on calcium

Don’t wait until you need hip or spine surgery to learn that it’s essential to keep bones strong and healthy through proper nutrition and exercise. There are plenty of food sources rich in calcium2, including dairy products or soy, green leafy veggies, salmon, sardines and oranges, just to name a few. Whichever food source you choose, what matters most is getting your daily calcium needs. Women aged 25 to 50 require 1000mg of calcium per day with 400i.u. of vitamin D3, which helps with calcium absorption.

 

Be at your best with a supplement

The simplest way to get your source of calcium is by drinking Anlene UHT. Its compact size takes up little space in your desk drawer or handbag, so no matter how busy you are, you’ll always be able to get your calcium at the office or on the go. Plus, it comes in two variants: Vanilla and Chocolate to satisfy your taste preference!

With your crazy-busy lifestyle, a quick fix can help provide you with the necessary calcium requirements for long-lasting bone health and good posture. After all, the freedom to move starts with strong bones.

 

Sources:

1.  http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/osteoporosis/why-women-are-greater-risk-developing-osteoporosis
2.  http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/10-calcium-rich-foods
3.  http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/nutrition-diet-weight-loss/calcium-needed-strong-bones

 

This content originally appeared on Yahoo.