| " Osteoporosis is a disease that does not discriminate. Men, women and children are all at risk. According to the NOF, one in four men and one in two women over age 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture. Only about 12 percent of females and 32 percent of males are getting enough calcium (the daily recommend value of calcium is 1,200 mg for this age group) during the early teenage years, a critical period for achieving peak bone mass. Compounding this problem is the large number of Americans who remain unaware of what it takes to build strong bones. " " A recent survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for GTC Nutrition found that most Americans -- about 70 percent -- are unaware that only about a third of the calcium they consume is absorbed by the body. In fact, almost half of all those surveyed mistakenly believe they absorb 50 to 100 percent of the calcium they ingest. " " The following are six simple tips from Dr. Coni Francis, registered dietitian with GTC Nutrition that every person can easily follow to help build strong bones: " " 1. Consume a diet rich in calcium -- The daily recommended allowance of calcium ranges from 1,000 to 1,300 mg depending on age, and if you can't get enough calcium through your diet, you should take a calcium supplement to help increase calcium intake. " " 2. Get vitamin D -- Your body can't absorb the calcium you take in without vitamin D. You can get vitamin D either from your diet or from the sun. " " 3. Eat foods fortified with prebiotics -- You can boost the amount of calcium your body absorbs by eating foods enhanced with prebiotic fibers, like NutraFlora(R) prebiotic fiber. Scientific studies have shown that prebiotic fibers such as NutraFlora help to increase calcium absorption. NutraFlora is easily identifiable on food packaging by its green leaf seal. " " 4. Exercise -- Weight-bearing exercise can help those of all ages develop and maintain strong bones. In fact, children and adolescents who participate in regular exercise are more likely to achieve peak bone mass than those who remain sedentary. " " 5. Don't smoke and avoid large quantities of alcohol -- Smoking and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can increase your risk for osteoporosis. " " 6. Discuss bone health with a healthcare professional
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