Bone Up on Bone Health

Bone disease has reached near-epidemic proportions in America. Millions of people are suffering the often-crippling and devastating effects of diseases such as osteoporosis, a condition that results in a "demineralization" of the bone matrix, causing bones to become less dense over time and increasing the risk of fractures, especially of the spine, wrist and hip; and osteopenia (softening of the bones). Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, while another 34 million have osteopenia. Unfortunately, the problem continues despite enormous consumption of calcium supplements and easy availability of vitamin D (from sunlight) both of which are known to positively affect bone.