Need Another Reason to Quit? How Smoking Increases Your Risk of Osteoporosis

If you’re looking for another compelling reason to quit smoking, consider this—smoking significantly weakens your bones and increases your risk of osteoporosis. This chronic condition causes brittle bones that are prone to fractures.

May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. That’s why the rheumatology team at Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas, thinks this is the perfect time to discuss the connection between smoking and osteoporosis. 

We’re also happy to share information about what can increase your osteoporosis risk and tips for boosting bone health.

How smoking can contribute to osteoporosis

While osteoporosis can affect anyone, postmenopausal women, older adults, and individuals with a long history of smoking are at higher risk. Smokers who also have a family history of osteoporosis, poor diet, or a sedentary lifestyle face an even greater danger.

Smoking affects bone health in several harmful ways:

Reduces bone density

Studies show that smokers have lower bone mineral density than non-smokers, making their bones weaker and more susceptible to fractures.

Disrupts hormonal balance

Smoking decreases estrogen levels in both men and women. Since estrogen helps maintain bone density, reduced levels lead to accelerated bone loss.

Impairs calcium absorption

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium, a crucial mineral for bone strength.

Slows healing

Smoking restricts blood flow, which can slow down the healing process after a bone fracture or injury, prolonging recovery time.

Quitting smoking can help

The damage smoking does to bones isn’t entirely irreversible. Quitting smoking can slow bone loss and reduce your risk of fractures. Here’s how:

Improved calcium absorption

Once you quit, your body becomes more efficient at absorbing calcium, which helps strengthen your bones.

Better blood circulation

Improved circulation promotes quicker bone healing and reduces the chances of fractures. Additionally, it benefits your brain, heart, kidneys, skin, and almost every bodily system.

Hormonal balance

Quitting smoking can help restore estrogen levels, which is especially beneficial for premenopausal women.

Tips for protecting your bones

In addition to quitting smoking, here are other steps you can take to protect bone health:

Check your nutrition

Eating a diet rich in dairy, leafy greens, and other bone-boosting foods provides the vitamins and minerals your bones need for good health.

Exercise regularly

Strength training and weight-bearing exercises like walking help build and maintain bone density.

Limit alcohol and caffeine

Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption can contribute to bone loss.

Check your bone density

We recommend focusing on bone health at any age. However, screening bone density tests can help detect early signs of bone loss if you're at risk for osteoporosis. This gives us time to develop treatment strategies before osteoporosis threatens your mobility and overall quality of life.

This Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, take a moment to consider your bone health. Smoking does more than damage your lungs—it weakens your entire body, including your skeletal system.

Arrange a visit to Allergy A.R.T.S. today for a bone health assessment. Contact our office or schedule an appointment online.