Women aged 60-70 who are satisfied with their lives have a higher bone density and they suffer from osteoporosis less frequently than their unsatisfied peers, according to a recent study completed at the University of Eastern Finland.
Osteoporosis is a common disease, which easily leads to bone fracture, and hip fractures in particular can have serious consequences. Bone density gets lower as people age; however, for women, the menopause constitutes a significant risk factor. Other risk factors of osteoporosis include low levels of physical activity, light body composition, smoking, low intake of calcium and vitamin D, as well as some drugs and medical conditions. For instance, long-term stress associated with depression can have detrimental effects on metabolism and, in consequence, on bone health. The health behaviour of a depressed person may also increase the risk of osteoporosis, as the person might smoke or exercise too little.
Subjective well-being is an extensive indicator of mental health and depression in particular, and in the now published study, life satisfaction was used to measure subjective well-being. The goal was to find out whether life satisfaction is also associated with bone health.
[For more of this story go to http://medicalxpress.com/news/...eficial-effects.html]
Comments (0)