You can’t change many of the things that raise your chances of developing osteoporosis, like your genes, your age, and your sex. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prevent the disease.
Your age, gender, family history, and ethnicity all play a role in how likely you are to get osteoporosis. Taking some medications, heavy drinking, and smoking can also put you at higher risk.
Eating salty foods, drinking too much soda, and spending most of your time indoors are among habits that are bad for your bones.
A healthy diet and certain types of exercise, among other things, can help to cut your osteoporosis risk.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. And we need more vitamin D as we get older. Are you getting enough? If your diet doesn’t contain sufficient amounts of this bone saver, supplements may help.
A range of treatments and healthy habits can slow osteopenia (weakened bones) and prevent osteoporosis.