As a result, the long-time suppression of estrogen production can affect both her fertility and her bone density. The good news , according to Judy Mahle Lutter, president of the Melpomene Institute for Women's Health Research, is that this kind of problem does not exist for 95 percent of runners. Research data are reassuring for the ordinary recreational runner and also for the competitive runner who continues to menstruate. In studies conducted by Dr. Stillman's kinesiology department, collegiate runners and gymnasts who exercised regularly but did not compete had higher bone density than either competing athletes or non-exercisers. What not to do If you smoke, stop now.
Smokers are at higher risk for hip fracture, and smokers' bones heal more slowly.
Don't have more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Heavy drinkers lose bone faster than moderate drinkers or teetotalers, probably because alcohol inhibits calcium retention. Don't drink more than two cups of coffee a day. Caffeine is a diuretic and increases the amount of calcium you excrete in your urine. Some research has shown that drinking milk in addition to coffee can help retard bone loss.