Where to Begin

Osteoporosis doesn't have to happen to you. It is preventable. By buying this book, you've already taken a major Step in preventing the disease. If you already have bone loss or have already been diagnosed with the disease, the tips in this book can help maximize the treatment outlined by your doctor.

According to Dr. Sartoris, it's never too late to make the most of your bone mass, even if you have genetics and past habits working against you. If you can add even 5 percent to your peak bone mass through lifestyle changes (or medication), you'll be able to reduce your fracture risk by a whopping 40 percent.

Optimum Nutrition introduces you to the role of nutrients, which play an undisputed part in building bone health. Calcium, phosphate, and other trace minerals form the crystalline latticework structure that gives bone its density, vitamin D is needed for the bones to actually absorb the calcium.

The close weave of tissue that holds the calcium in the bone's matrix requires vitamins and protein to do its work. Vitamins and minerals also support hormone levels that tare important to bone strength. Optimum Nutrition offers tasteful ideas for working the bone-essential nutrients into your diet.

Keeping your bones healthy through exercise is a vital, ongoing process. But even if you've never exercised, experts say it's never too late to reap the bone-building benefits. In a Finnish study, women age 80 and above who did strength and balance training reduced their risk of falling by more than 30 percent.

We offers you novel tips later in this blog on lowering many controllable risk factors, such as smoking or excess salt, protein, or caffeine. You'll also discover countless ways to make your lifestyle a little more bone-healthy and to protect whatever bone mass you have.

Living Well with Brittle Bones on page 95 is for the woman who refuses to compromise her quality of life and sense of adventure, despite the fact that she has osteoporosis. Read on for travel advice, fashion tips, and many other ideas to avoid possible fractures and pain while continuing to engage in your favorite activities.

Finally, Alternative Options on page 113 directs you to alternative health practitioners who have special strategies to avoid or cope with osteoporosis. Seek them out for your particular problems and concerns as a great adjunct to your doctor's care, or for an alternative approach to osteoporosis prevention and treatment.