Those who drink heavily are more prone to bone loss and fractures, because of poor nutrition and an increased risk of falls. Talk to your physician if you are concerned that a medication you are taking might contribute to bone loss. Once osteoporosis has decreased bone density, the bone cannot be replaced. Further decreases can be slowed through treatment with calcium, vitamin D, and estrogen therapy, but no new bone will be developed. Research involving young women is showing more and more that the most important time of prevention is childhood through the mid-20s.
Prevention is a lifetime commitment to good nutritional, medical, and physical activity practices.
Your body needs many nutrients to perform its everyday functions, so a complete diet is important to your overall health. Calcium is the mineral that is especially needed to keep bones healthy. Surveys of dietary intake have shown that the majority of Americans are not consuming enough calcium. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are excellent sources of calcium. The calcium in dairy products is easily absorbed by the body.