Osteoporosis works by sapping the strength from your bones. When your bones are weak, they fracture, splinter and break more easily.  More than half of women over the age of 65 have osteoporosis. Your risk increases as you age. But when you understand osteoporosis, you can take steps to prevent the onset of this “silent disease.”

Significant risk factors include:

• A diet low in calcium
• An inactive lifestyle
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Abnormal absence of menstrual periods 

One way to bone up your defense against osteoporosis is to learn more at the Osteoporosis Center of Lancaster.  The center provides osteoporosis education, testing and treatment in the convenient setting of the Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital.

Even if you’re no longer in your teens, it’s not too late to try to make up for spilt milk. When you monitor your calcium intake, you help yourself by helping your bones.

For an educational brochure on bone density testing or the Osteoporosis Center, call 544-3759.

Bone-Building Basics

To promote strong bones:

• Eat a balanced, healthy diet
• Control your weight to avoid undue stress on your bones
• Participate in weight-bearing exercise (walking or running) several times a week
• Get some sun – at least 15 minutes a day – to get Vitamin D to promote calcium absorption.
  

To boost your calcium intake:

• Add nonfat dry powdered milk to soup, cereals, casseroles and more
• Add low-fat, grated cheese to your food
• Eat low-fat diet cheese (all the calcium minus some of the fat)
• Take a calcium supplement, as recommended by your doctor