It is very important for pregnant or nursing women and youngsters to get the recommended amount of calcium in their diets each day. As we age, there is a normal, unavoidable loss of calcium from our bones. If, while we were young, we obtained the recommended amounts and have stayed active, this normal loss of calcium should have a minimal effect on our bones. It is important that everyone maintain a good calcium intake throughout life. Exercise not only keeps the muscles strong, but also helps the bones maintain their strength.
Weight bearing is the key.
2 Prolonged use of steroid drugs has been shown to destroy bone. It is very likely that if you have VHL you will, at some time in your life, have a procedure which will involve the use of some steroids. Steroids may be used before, during or after brain or spinal surgery and some eye procedures to control swelling around the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. While these drugs are important tools in successfully recovering from these procedures, care must be taken to ensure against unwanted side effects later in life. Steroids are still the basis of anti-rejection treatment after kidney transplantation, and there is an enormous problem with osteoporosis worldwide among transplant recipients.