Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.¹
Here is the good news! You can decrease your risk of developing osteoporosis. By getting 1,000 mg of calcium a day, 200 International Units (IU) of vitamin D for adults under 50, and at least 30 minutes a day of weight bearing exercise.
| Who is at risk? Certain people are more likely than others to develop osteoporosis. Risk factors for the disease include: |
|---|
 Being female |
| Being thin and/or having a small frame |
| Being of advanced age |
| A family history of osteoporosis |
| Early menopause |
| A diet low in calcium |
| The use of certain medications |
| An inactive lifestyle |
| Cigarette smoking |
| Excessive use of alcohol |
| Being Caucasian, African-American Asian, or Hispanic with a predisposition to lactose intolerance (the inability to digest milk and dairy products) and avoidance of milk-product consumption. |
¹ National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2004
