Prevention
By about age 20, the average woman has acquired 98 percent of her skeletal mass. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later.
There is no cure for osteoporosis. There are, however, steps you can take to prevent it or to slow or stop its progress.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium (dairy products, green leafy vegetables, canned fish with bones, calcium-fortified products) and vitamin D
- Get regular weight-bearing exercise
- Maintain a healthful lifestyle (no smoking, moderate alcohol, avoid caffeine)
- Get bone density screenings
- Take preventive medications, such as Fosamax®, Actonel® or Evista®, according to your physician’s recommendations
- Build strong bones early in life
