A simple fall can result in a broken hip. Gradual weakening or thinning out of bones occurs normally with age. The longer we live, the less bone mass we have and the more prone we are to fractures. Scientists do not know what causes osteoporosis. They do know a lot about factors which can worsen or lessen the extent of bone loss.
Osteoporosis is a very complex disease where many different factors influence the rate of bone loss.
Advanced age and being a postmenopausal white female are the predominant risk factors. Advanced age and being a postmenopausal white female are the predominant risk factors. The role of dietary calcium in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis is not clear. Calcium may ameliorate or prevent only bone loss directly related to calcium deficiency, but not bone loss due to other causes. Calcium deficiency, however, is common in women.