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Bones serve as a storage area for minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. When an excess is present in the blood, buildup
will occur within the bones. When the supply of these minerals within the blood is low, it will be withdrawn from the bones
to replenish the supply. Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which the amount of bone is decreased and the structural integrity
of trabecular bone is impaired. Cortical bone becomes more porous and thinner. This makes the bone weaker and more likely to
fracture. Osteoporosis is more common than it should be. Although we don't know how to completely stop bone loss, we can
take steps to prevent many of the fractures. Basic building blocks for stronger bones are: calcium, vitamin D, exercise, fall
prevention, nutrition and weight gain, and stop smoking. Prevention starts in childhood, with good nutrition and exercise.
Fall prevention is especially important in elderly persons. Many medical papers focus on medications that can be given to
reduce the rate of bone loss. Most lay articles, on the other hand, stress life-style issues such as diet and exercise. BOTH
are important! Sometimes doctors and their patients just want to take a medication for osteoporosis, without paying attention
to these basic building blocks. The medications will not be as effective if there is inadequate calcium, exercise, or
nutrition. In a time when we want medication to take care of everything for us (especially in the southern U.S.), how would
you get people to take the proper precautions before the damage is beyond repair?
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