Ep46. Better Bone Health with Professor Belinda Beck

The changes in hormones due to the menopause transition and getting older has a huge impact on bone health and osteopenia and osteoporosis are important topics to consider. It's crucial then that women become proactive and protect their bones more because they're four times more likely to get bone disease than men. And being proactive starts with learning more about bone health. I'm beyond thrilled to have one of the world's leading researchers in this area on the podcast. Belinda Beck is a Professor of Exercise Science at Griffith University (Gold Coast, QLD) and the Menzies Health Institute Queensland. Her work, primarily related to the effects of mechanical loading on bone, has involved both animal and human models, from basic to clinical research. Her particular focuses have been exercise interventions across the lifespan for the prevention of osteoporotic fracture, and the management of bone stress injuries in athletes and military recruits. She is founding Director of The Bone Clinic, a translational research facility and clinical practice providing evidence-based exercise (Onero) for people living with osteoporosis. Listen is as we chat about:

Peak bone mass occurs between the ages of 25 and 30, and by the time we reach the age of 40, we slowly begin to lose bone mass.

How falls are the nemesis of osteoporosis and how skeletal size, medications and genes can also impact our bone health.

How to be proactive in preventing the effects of osteoporosis through exercise and maximising physical activity for our joints.

Safe lifting and growing strength and bone in order to get our lives back in midlife.

The importance of movement. Getting muscles stronger with supervision for an effective exercise program.

Increasing calcium and vitamin D to add to building better bone health

This episode has the potential to change the lives of many both in midlife and beyond. I encourage you to find out more about Belinda via The Bone Clinic https://theboneclinic.com.au/. You can also find local providers of the supervised Onero program https://onero.academy/locations/ and access the unsupervised home program focussed on balance for falls prevention with some safe bone and muscle loading exercises via https://onero.online/. For exercise physiologists and physios wanting to become licensed Onero providers find out more information about the Onero Academy here https://onero.academy/.

You can also find me on Instagram -   / joclarkcoaching   and Private Facebook Group -   / womenswellnesscollective1  .

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.