Can you prevent bone loss? According to the Surgeon General, you can improve your bone health at any age. For most people, osteoporosis is preventable and bone density can be maintained. In fact, the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life is to nurture your body throughout your life. But even if your doctor has told you that you have osteoporosis, a combination of ongoing prescription treatment, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, can provide the strength that your bones need to resist fracture (broken bone) as you age.

Use these suggestions to help maintain the strength of your bones:

• Pay close attention to your health. Consider discussing regular bone mineral density (BMD) tests with your doctor to monitor your bone mineral density and determine if you have – or are at risk for – osteoporosis and would benefit from prescription therapy. It's important to continually evaluate the steps you are taking to maintain the health of your bones and to explore what's new in the treatment of osteoporosis.
  Learn more about diagnosing osteoporosis.

• Follow a balanced diet, rich in calcium and vitamin D. Calcium helps your bones stay strong and healthy. According to the Surgeon General's report, this chart shows how much calcium you need every day depending on your age.
  
  Vitamin D helps your body absorb enough of the calcium it needs to keep your bones healthy. This chart shows how much vitamin D you will need to consume as you get older.
  
  
  Learn more about osteoporosis dietary changes.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise is important for your health and for healthy bones. The best type of exercise for your bones is weight-bearing exercise, which forces you to work against gravity.
  Learn more about exercise and osteoporosis.

• Practice good health habits, such as:

  -	Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can harm the cells that build your bones and reduce the amount of calcium in your body. Studies have shown that even in younger men and women, consuming 1 to 2 drinks of alcohol a day on a regular basis can cause damage to the skeleton. Heavier drinkers are even more vulnerable to bone loss and fractures, because of poor nutrition and because they face a higher risk of falling.
  -	Avoid fad diets or skipping meals. Skipping meals and following fad diets can prevent you from getting the foods and nutrients your body and your bones need to stay healthy.
  -	Avoid smoking. Smoking isn't just bad for your heart and lungs; it can also raise your risk of getting osteoporosis. People who smoke may absorb less of the calcium they take in. Smoking may lower the amount of estrogen a woman's body makes. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you already smoke, consider quitting.

Please consult your doctor before beginning any program of exercise or diet.

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