Gender - Your chances of developing osteoporosis are 6 to 8 times greater if you are a woman than a man. Women have less bone tissue, begin to lose bone sooner, lose bone more rapidly than men, and calcium is drained from the bones during pregnancy and nursing. Ethnicity - Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk. African-American and Hispanic women have a lower but still significant risk. Inactivity - Research has clearly shown that physical inactivity and lack of exercise leads to bone loss, and lessens calcium absorption.
Exercise increases the circulation and the absorption of calcium.
It is very important to exercise at least five days a week moderately. At least 20 to 60 minutes per day without fail. Swimming and bicycling are suggested. Increasingly doctors are recommending weight-bearing exercise such as brisk walking, aerobics, and light weight lifting. Medication - Aluminum blocks absorption of calcium and fluoride, which are important for bone integrity.