The idea that never breaking a bone is an indication of divine intervention is probably familiar to anyone who has spent more than a few minutes exploring the “spiritual explanations for day-to-day occurrences” rabbit hole.
A TikToker recently went viral after asserting that anyone who hasn’t spent a lot of time in prison is “protected by the higher powers” or has a lot of “good karma,” in case you missed the memo.
This is undoubtedly a reassuring theory, but it is also one that is challenging to gauge in terms of accuracy.
If you have never fractured a bone, what does that mean? Dr. Suhail Hussain and the Royal Osteoporosis Society say that it may be due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and health factors.
Why some people more likely to break a bone, explained
Believing that you have been selected by God or that you are protected by the force of good actions can undoubtedly make your day, but it is unlikely to keep you from breaking a bone.
“We all know people who seem to trip and fall frequently but then bounce back up, and laugh it off,” Dr Hussain recently told LADbible, adding, “Conversely, someone else trips over a curb and ends up in a cast.”
“So why does this happen? Turns out, it’s not all random or down to divine protection,” he continued.
“[It’s] a mix of your genes, lifestyle, and even what you eat could be making your bones weaker or stronger.”
What then can we do to maximise the likelihood that our bodies will not suffer a dreaded fracture or break?
It’s in the genetics
Your parents and grandparents are to blame if you’re the type of person who breaks your ankle after falling down the lowest flight of stairs.
Explaining how the strength of your skeleton is something which comes down through DNA, Dr Hussain explained: “Bone strength is largely inherited. That includes how dense your bones are, how well your body processes calcium, and even how your skeleton is built.”
“Some of us are naturally more prone to thinner bones — and those can snap more easily under pressure.”
The size and strength of your skeleton can affect your risk of developing weaker bones, thus the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) concurs with this result.
“Research also shows that if one of your parents broke their hip, you’re more likely to break a bone yourself. Hip fractures have a high mortality rate and can sometimes cause permanent disability,” a ROS spokesperson added to LADbible.
Therefore, before you start skating or parkour as a sport, you might wish to look over the family medical records.
Age is yet another crucial element. According to the ROS, a person’s bone density starts to decrease after the age of 30, and women who have gone through menopause are more likely to have osteoporosis or brittle bones.
Lifestyle also plays a factor
However, since your body’s input and output both affect your risk of fracturing a bone, someone from a stronger stock shouldn’t consider this as permission to live a reckless life.
ROS highlights the need of adopting a balanced diet because eating “a variety of foods” that contain “essential nutrients” and “vitamin D” is vital for bone health.
According to Dr. Hussain, those who smoke, drink too much alcohol, and exercise seldom are also at danger.
“Lifestyle plays a huge role in whether or not you’ll suffer a fracture one day. In fact there is probably more you can do to protect yourself from this phenomenon than you realise,” he added.
What you can do to minimise your risk of breaking a bone
What can you do, then, if you’re concerned that your genes aren’t working out or that you haven’t been eating healthily?
There are several things you can do to give your body the best chance, so don’t give up.
“If broken bones run in your family, don’t just hope for the best. Be proactive,” Dr Hussain says, recommending that people load up on ‘calcium-rich foods’ such as leafy greens or dairy and almonds, while the ROS urges people to lead an active lifestyle such as walking, jogging and weight lifting.
If you’re really concerned, schedule a visit with your general practitioner. According to Dr. Hussain, bone density (DEXA) scans are “painless and quick” and can be used to assess the health of your bones.
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