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Source: Corbis

Source: Corbis

Approximately 200 million women around the world suffer from osteoporosis, and the condition causes nearly 9 million fractures a year. In women 45 and up, osteoporosis-related injuries account for more days spent in the hospital than most other conditions and diseases. Studies have found that a lot of women are hesitant to discuss osteoporosis with their doctor, or get tested for it, which makes the condition even more prevalent. If you’re a woman, denying that osteoporosis could affect you is not an option. If you have already been diagnosed with the condition, it’s important to stay away from certain foods and activities that can make osteoporosis worse.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Bike riding

While bike riding can burn calories, it’s not good for people with osteoporosis. Bike riding puts weight on only certain parts of the body and is not considered a weight-bearing activity—so it can put an imbalanced amount of pressure on already weak bones.

 

Image Source: Shutterstock

Image Source: Shutterstock

Heartburn medication

Some heartburn medication has been shown to diminish bone health. While those who don’t have osteoporosis can take bone-strengthening medication with their heartburn medication to prevent bone problems, those who already have the condition should talk to their doctor before going on heartburn medication.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Image Source: Shutterstock

Unsoaked beans

Beans are good for those with osteoporosis overall once they’ve been soaked. Many beans are high in phytates, which can interfere with your ability to absorb calcium. But if you soak them for several hours before cooking them, you can remove some of that substance.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Image Source: Shutterstock

Swiss chard and raw spinach

Raw spinach and swiss chard contain a lot of calcium, but ironically they contain oxalates which can make it hard for the body to absorb calcium. Combine these foods with another snack that has readily available calcium, like cheese.