Online version updated January 2011 Why Does Bone Health Matter?
Our bones support us and allow us to move. They protect our
brain, heart, and other organs from injury. Our bones also store
minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which help keep our
bones strong, and release them into the body when we need them
for other uses. There are many things we can do to keep our
bones healthy and strong. Eating foods rich in calcium and
vitamin D, getting plenty of exercise, and having good health
habits help keep our bones healthy. But if we don’t eat right
and don’t get enough of the right kinds of exercise, our bones
can become weak and even break. Broken bones (called fractures)
can be painful and sometimes need surgery to heal. They can also
cause long-lasting But the good news is that it is never too
late to take care of your bones. What Is Osteoporosis? There are
many kinds of bone diseases. The most common one is osteoporosis
(AH-stee-oh-por-OH-sis). With osteoporosis, our bones become
weak and are more like