 
Did you know that almost 30 million women currently have osteoporosis or are at risk for developing the disease? This might seem scary, but that's why you should do something now to build healthy bones and prevent the deterioration of bone mass!
Calcium
A lack of calcium in your diet is thought to contribute to the development of osteoporosis... yet studies show that many women get less than half the calcium needed to maintain healthy bones. The solution is simple: if you don't consume enough calcium in your diet (between 1,000 and 1,300 mg daily, depending on your age), take a calcium supplement! 
Vitamin D is calcium's counterpart. Why? It enables your body to absorb calcium. Without Vitamin D, your body will begin to steal calcium from your bones. So it's important to make sure you get between 400 and 800 IU of Vitamin D per day - whether it be through exposure to sunlight, dairy products or another source.
Exercise
You always hear about the many ways exercise benefits your body, and now there's something to add to the list! Exercise is great for bone health, especially weight-bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, jogging or hiking. However, don't just jump right in... if you've been inactive most of your adult life, be sure to consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Tests
A BMD test is the sole method for diagnosing osteoporosis and determining risk for fracture. A simple scan of your body, the BMD test is completely painless and noninvasive... so you have no excuses to avoid it!
To learn more about BMD tests, click here.
Source: www.nof.org
|
