A 2004 U.S. Surgeon General report
reveals that for women of all ages and life stages calcium, vitamin D, and
exercise are important to maintaining everyday bone health and helping to prevent
osteoporosis.
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.
Being female 
