Growing up you may have been told to drink milk to build strong bones. You might have even broken a bone as a child or maybe you never did. Yet as you get older, you could be susceptible to breaks more frequently than when you were younger. 

A common disease that could cause these breaks to occur as you get older is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become so weak that a fall or mild stresses can cause fractures. This occurs when the creation of new bone does not keep up with the removal of the old bone. Osteoporosis is more common in men and women over the age of 50.

How can a young adult start prevention of osteoporosis? Our experts in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northshore share these tips:

Good nutrition is important to help keep your bones healthy. Eat foods which are good for bone health, like fruits and vegetables, protein and those that are good sources of calcium.

Maintaining healthy body weight is vital to help prevention. Being over-or underweight can increase the chance of bone loss and fractures.

Vitamin D can help improve your body’s ability to absorb calcium. It helps build strong bones and keeps them healthy.

An active lifestyle will help your bones stay strong, especially if you are young. High-impact weight-bearing exercises like hiking, tennis, jogging, and stair climbing will help promote bone health.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol to help protect your bones.

Talk to your physician on more ways to help prevent osteoporosis early.