Health for Runners (Part 2)
Bone health is important at every age stage. Bones develop through childhood and our teenage years reaching peak bone mineral density by our late 20’s. Having good nutrition for bone health during those years is crucial. Most people are probably aware that BMD decreases with age from about 40 years old and especially during menopausal years, which may lead to Osteopenia and Osteoporosis. Often these conditions go undetected until someone has a fall/fracture.
A bone stress injury can stop a runner in her tracks and may even lead to a longer term injury, so looking after your bones as a runner is important for health and a long enjoyable running life.
In Episode 21, Bone Health for Runners (Part 1), we discussed what makes healthy bones, the causes of stress fractures in runners as well as an introduction into nutrition and lifestyle to support optimal bone health.
In this episode Bone Health for Runners (Part 2) we delve deeper into specific nutrients required for strong bones and discuss some lifestyle factors to also promote bone health. We highlight the key bone building nutrients, why we need them, their food sources, and how to maximise their bioavailability.
Specific nutrients addressed in this episode include:
This episode also includes a Q&A section where questions received from Part 1 are answered.
Show Notes
(02:14)
A quick recap of the nutritional points discussed in Part 1
(07:33)
A quick look at Calcium and its many functions in the body before moving on to focus on its key role in bone health. Also, discussing some food sources in addition to dairy food, which is widely associated with its calcium content.
(10:38)
Thinking about calcium bioavailability i.e its absorption and availability to the body for use. Vitamin D comes in to play here.
(13:23)
Considering Vitamin D status as a means of supporting calcium bioavailability and optimizing bone health. Discussing its anti-inflammatory properties alongside its ability to absorb toxic substances in the absence of sufficient micronutrients in the diet. Dietary supplementation of Vitamin D also addressed here.
(17:59)
Moving on to discuss the importance of magnesium in forming the bone matrix and emphasising how magnesium and the other nutrients discussed work in synergy, not alone. Also, exploring the ratio of magnesium to calcium required in food and nutritional supplementation for optimal calcium function.
(21:31)
A quick shout out for Omega 3 FAs and other important trace minerals including: Boron, Manganese, Selenium and Copper.
(25:55)
Q&A section. Questions from Part 1 are answered here including topics such as:
(40:55)
Key Takeaways:
