Preventing bone loss and promoting good bone health
Loss of bone mass occurs dur- ing the aging process, and a small amount of bone loss is normal. When your body loses too much bone or makes too little of it, however, you have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can lead to dangerous fractures.
People with osteoporosis have weaker bones with lower bone den- sity and abnormal tissue structure. These bones are more likely to break and, in severe cases, will do so at the slightest bump or pressure.
Facts About Fractures The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 1.5 million Americans suffer a fracture due to bone disease each year. The risk of fracture increases with age and is greatest in women (though lower in African-American women than Caucasians).