The #1 thing you must do to protect your bones

As we age, starting around 35 years, we begin to lose bone density. For women, this process is accelerated during menopause with the drop in estrogen. I’m focusing on this now because winter is the season of the Water Element and thus the Kidneys.

In Traditional Chines Medicine (TCM), the Kidneys are vitally important for a variety of functions:

• regulate gestation in utero

• growth, sexual maturation and development

• brain health and cognition

• bone marrow

• hormones

• reproduction and fertility

• the bones, teeth, head hair

• hearing

• sexual function and libido

• everything below the naval

Zeroing in on the energy of the season and the functions that Kidneys regulate, I want to place a special attention on bone health.

While diet and nutrition are important for bone health, those alone are inadequate in preventing osteoporosis.

Weight bearing, high impact and plyometric exercises are crucial to bone density and bone health.

Plyometrics are exercises that stretch and contract muscles quickly so that power is generated; activities like squat jumps, broad jumps, box jumps, jumping rope etc. Some people refer to it as “jump training” since jumping exercises are very much a part of plyometrics.

Heavy resistance training and weight lifting are an excellent way of improving bone density. Lighter weights won’t do it, which is why hiring a trainer may be important to get you started.