Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and are, therefore, more likely to break (NOF, 2004). Thus, the common perception that bones are inert structures, like wooden beams, is incorrect. For, a bone is actually a living tissue, which is constantly being remodeled. After age 35, however, on the average a little more bone is lost each year than is gained during this remodeling. Between 40 and 50, men characteristically lose 0.5 to 0.75% of bone mass yearly, while women lose it at more than twice that rate. Bones that were once sturdy may become lighter and fragile, with their interiors resembling lacy honeycombs. The rate of natural loss increases substantially after age 50. If its severe enough, the thinned-out bones become porous, and osteoporosis develops, which literally means bone porosity (Walford, 2000, p. 131).

Consequences and Implications: Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss...
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