That means calcium-rich foods, especially dairy products, plus plenty of Vitamin D, starting young and throughout life. Our bones stop growing around age 30, and that's all we get. Many supplements or foods with calcium have Vitamin D added. You should check the label to see. Certain medications are available to help those who are at risk, such as Calcitonin, a nasal spray, and hPTH 1-34, an injection that seems to increase the thickness of bones in clinical trials.
Regular exercise can help stave off bone loss, especially weight-bearing exercises such as walking.
There are physical therapy programs available for those suffering from the disease, but obviously it is better to avoid such if you can. We focus on musculo-skeletal stretching and strengthening exercises to help prevent further deformity. We do a lot of work with the various muscle groups to help keep a good, normal posture. It is best to establish lifelong habits that will help you stave it off as opposed to trying to deal with it later. E.W. Scripps Publications , All Rights Reserved.