A bone expert explains that women lose more bone around the menopause and in the years after their last period. Men also lose bone steadily starting at about age 50. Weaker bones raise the chance of breaking a bone after a fall, and hip fractures rise sharply later in life.
Diet and simple supplements can help. Dairy is the main source of calcium in many diets, and two daily servings are useful. If someone does not eat two servings, a 500-milligram calcium supplement is reasonable. Between October and March in Massachusetts the skin does not make vitamin D, so older people may benefit from extra vitamin D in those months.
Difficult words
- menopause — time when a woman's periods stop
- fracture — a break in a bonefractures
- supplement — a tablet or dose to add nutrientssupplements
- dairy — foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt
- calcium — mineral that helps make bones strong
- vitamin D — vitamin the skin makes with sunlight
- serving — one portion of food or drinkservings
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Discussion questions
- Do you eat dairy every day? How many servings do you have?
- Do you or people you know take vitamin D or calcium supplements?
- What other simple ways can help keep bones strong?
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