Current and future nonhormonal approaches to the treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the most important metabolic disease of women. Still, approaches to successful therapy are limited. The "gold standard" for prevention of osteoporosis in the menopausal years is estrogen. None of the other agents should be regarded as true alternatives to estrogens. Current recommendations for dietary calcium and vitamin D will be given as well as the following therapies: biphosphonates, fluoride, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone.