Osteoporosis is a bone weakening disease that develops gradually and makes bones so fragile that they can break under normal use. Osteoporosis means “porous bones.” Bones lose their strength and thickness gradually becoming porous and fragile.
Think of your bones as a savings account. There is only as much bone mass in your account as is deposited. The critical years for building bone mass are from prior to adolescence to about age 30. After 30, as part of the ageing process, your bones begin to break down faster than new bone can be formed.
Children and teens have the best opportunity to build defenses against osteoporosis by getting daily-recommended servings of milk according to Canada’s Food Guide.
One in every 4 women and one in every 8 men over the age of fifty suffers from osteoporosis; but it’s not only older people who are at risk for osteoporosis. People in the 40s, 30s and even 20s can sometimes get osteoporosis.