Nutrition for Bone Health

How do bones age?

Bone mass decreases with age, especially in women after they experience menopause.

Here are a few specific ways the bones change over time:

Bones lose calcium and other minerals

The trunk of the body becomes shorter

Vertebrae lose mineral content

Bone spurs may form on the vertebrae

The foot arches become less pronounced, contributing to a slight loss of height.

The long bones of the arms and legs are more brittle

The joints become stiffer and less flexible

The cartilage may begin to rub together and wear away. Minerals may deposit in and around some joints (calcification), especially around the shoulder.