Osteoporosis means "porous bone." It means that your bones are thinner and weaker than they should be. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in older adults and is most common in people older than 70 and in women who have gone through menopause.

Your body needs calcium to build and repair bones. But it can't make calcium on its own. That's why it's important to eat calcium-rich foods. Some foods are naturally rich in calcium. Others have calcium added.

Certain factors can speed up bone loss or decrease bone growth. For example, alcohol, cigarettes, and certain medicines reduce bone mass. Some foods make it hard for your body to absorb calcium.

Osteoporosis thins and weakens a person's bones, making them more porous (less dense) and fragile, and thus more likely to break. Although a fracture is often the first outward sign of osteoporosis, a bone mineral density test can help diagnose it before that happens.

Take care of your bones with proper diet and exercise, as well as with the right vitamin and mineral supplements.