Preventing osteoporosis

Abstract

Providing practical advice on the prevention of osteoporosis in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, this contribution offers a number of useful suggestions in calcium intake, vitamin D supply, exercise, prevention and protection against falls, early diagnosis and effective medication. The prevention of osteoporosis begins with optimal bone mass acquisition during growth. Bones are living tissue, and the skeleton grows continually from birth to the end of the teen years, reaching a maximum strength and size (peak bone mass) in early adulthood. An efficient way of preventing osteoporotic fractures is to build up the strongest bones possible during childhood and adolescence. In adulthood, there are also necessary steps to take in the prevention of osteoporosis building strong bones in youths is also applicable to adults to prevent excessive bone loss.