The process of bone thinning (osteoporosis) is a natural part of aging. But if you receive treatment early, you may be able to stop or slow the progress of bone loss. Treatment is important to:

• Prevent broken bones.
• Maintain or increase your bone thickness.
• Relieve pain caused by fractures and changes to bones.
• Maintain your ability to function physically.

Treatment for osteoporosis includes eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, getting regular exercise, and taking medicine to reduce bone loss and increase bone thickness. It's important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements along with any medicines you take for osteoporosis. Even small changes in diet, exercise, and medicine can help prevent spine and hip fractures. Adults who adopt healthy habits can slow the progress of osteoporosis.

See a picture of healthy bone versus bone weakened by osteoporosis.

Initial treatment

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor likely will recommend lifestyle and diet changes. Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, which are necessary for keeping bones healthy and strong. Take supplements if you think you are not getting enough of these nutrients in your diet. Recommendations vary, but the National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests that adults up to age 50 get 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D a day. If you are age 50 or older, the recommended amounts are 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 to 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D.

Your bones need vitamin D to absorb calcium. One study showed that vitamin D may reduce an older person's risk of falling by 22%.⁹ The best source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is also added to milk, some calcium supplements, and many multivitamin supplements.

Research studies do not agree about whether calcium plus vitamin D supplements can prevent fractures. Some studies show that calcium and vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of fracture.¹⁰ But other studies show little effect of supplements on fracture risk.¹¹ The greatest benefit of supplements appears to be for people who have osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are recommended if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

For more information on taking calcium, see:

Osteoporosis: Taking calcium.

Exercises, including weight-bearing exercise (walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights), aerobics, and resistance exercises are all effective in increasing bone mineral density and strength of the spine. Walking also increases bone mineral density of the hip.¹² And exercise increases strength and balance so you are less likely to fall. Start out at an exercise level that you are comfortable with and work up gradually. To be most effective, weight-bearing exercises should be done for 30 minutes most days of the week, and resistance exercises 2 to 3 days a week.¹³ If you stop exercising, your bones weaken and may be more likely to break.