(Stock Photo) Whatever your age is, you can't get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Calcium, together with vitamin D, helps reduce bone loss.
Tips for maintaining healthy bone density
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FEBRUARY 07, 2006
By Happynews Staff

Although it is very common, osteoporosis is one of the most avoidable health concerns among adults. Years ago many doctors believed that weak bones were just a result of old age and therefore could not be avoided. We now know that this is a myth. Good habits can in fact improve your bone health at any age -- and the sooner you start the better.
But what can women do now, before they face the need for expensive medications and life-limiting changes to physical activities down the road?
Even though an estimated 10 million Americans over age 50 are already suffering from it and another 34 million are likely to get it, osteoporosis remains a disease condition that most women -- and men -- think will happen to someone else. Yet, according to the Surgeon General, by 2020, half of all Americans over 50 will have weak bones unless we make changes to our diet and lifestyle. That's not good news for the 75 million American baby boomers now passing into that age group.
"Most Americans understand perfectly well that osteoporosis is a serious medical problem," said Susan L. Trimbo, GNC Corporation's Senior Vice President for Scientific Affairs. "Less well understood, however, is the wide range of things that can be done well in advance of the onset of osteoporosis to maintain healthy bone density."
Trimbo suggests these tips as important elements of any plan to address the conditions that cause osteoporosis over the long term:
1. Are your bones healthy now? At age 40 get a quick (5 to 10 minute) bone density screening -- it's the best way to check your bone health.
2. Diet is critical. Whatever your age is, get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Calcium, together with vitamin D, helps to reduce bone loss.
3. Physical activity is important, too. Be physically active -- participate in a physical activity at least 30 minutes each day.
4. What medications are you taking? Talk with your doctor about medicines you are taking that could weaken bones, like medicine for thyroid problems or arthritis.
5. You can be too skinny. Maintain a healthy weight. Being underweight raises the risk of fracture and bone loss.
6. Yes, smoking is bad for this, too. Don't smoke. Smoking can reduce bone mass and increase your risk for a broken bone.
7. Limit alcohol use. Heavy alcohol use reduces bone mass and increases your risk for broken bones.
8. Remember, most accidents do happen at home. Reduce hazards in your home that could increase your risk of falling and breaking bones.
Maintaining healthy bone density should be a health goal for women of all ages. During childhood and teenage years, new bone is added faster than old bone is removed because the activity of bone-building cells is high. As a result, bones can grow and bone density steadily increases. Bones continue to grow until women are in their mid-20s when bone mass peaks. At this point, bone formation equals bone removal. From then on, women must use proper nutrition and regular exercise to ensure that bone breakdown doesn't start to happen faster than bone formation. If it does, then bone density can decline and bones become weak.
GNC addresses the needs of women for supporting healthy bone density at all ages with Women's Ultra Mega(R) Bone Density. In addition to calcium, vitamin D and MBP(R), a clinically studied protein complex that supports the body's natural ability to build and maintain bone mass, Women's Ultra Mega(R) Bone Density also contains the essential bone-supporting nutrients magnesium and vitamin K. Magnesium is important because it helps build bones and maintain teeth, and it is important for proper vitamin D function in the body. Vitamin K may play a role in bone health because it helps the body transport calcium. Also, vitamin K plays a role in bone matrix formation. Women's Ultra Mega(R) Bone Density is available exclusively at GNC stores. GNC, based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, which includes vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, sports nutrition products, diet and energy products and specialty supplements.