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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. Shown here are the basic building blocks for stronger bones. 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.
