In this way, they are exercising true preventive medicine. Moreover, regular exercise may help build strong bones even more efficiently than will extra calcium in the diet. Finally, female hormones and a nutritious diet also serve to strengthen bones. Therefore, while calcium supplements are a necessary component in healthy bones, increasing the consumption of the mineral will not completely solve the problem if the calcium is taken too late in life. I should mention, too, that elderly men may have significant osteoporosis, but the incidence is much lower than it is for women.
Many women have no idea that they are affected.
They need to know before they actually experience compression fractures to the spine or traumatic fractures of the hip, which is a more serious condition for most people. Then the woman must consider specific anti-osteoporosis therapy, which includes hormones, Evista, calcitonin, Didronel or Fosamax. The choice of which treatment to use should be decided between a patient and her physician. And, as I mentioned, regular exercise is a must.