Bone health reflects lifelong influences including genetics, hormones, nutrition, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, medications and medical conditions. Osteoporosis often produces no symptoms until a fracture occurs.
Load the skeleton
Weight-bearing movement and resistance exercise stimulate the musculoskeletal system and also support balance and muscle strength. This becomes increasingly important with age because falls and frailty strongly influence fracture risk.
Calcium and vitamin D need context
Calcium and vitamin D are important for bone physiology, but supplements should not automatically be taken in high doses by everyone. Dietary intake, sun exposure, deficiency risk, kidney function, medications and osteoporosis risk all influence whether supplementation is appropriate.
Ask about bone-density assessment if you have fragility fractures, long-term steroid use, premature menopause, very low body weight, malabsorption, significant family history or other osteoporosis risk factors.
This article is general health information and does not replace an individual medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment plan.