How to build strong bones as you age

MPR News with Angela Davis

Our bones are constantly breaking down and remaking themselves. In fact, an adult human skeleton replaces itself every five to 10 years.

As we get older, that creation of new bone can’t keep up with the loss of old bone. Our bones get weaker and more brittle, a condition called osteoporosis, and that puts us at higher risk of breaking a hip, a rib or something else if we fall.

But there’s a lot we can do at all ages to build stronger bones.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two doctors about how diet, exercise and medications can build our bone density and help prevent fractures as we age.

Guests:

Dr. Jad Sfeir is an endocrinologist and gerontologist and an assistant professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester. He specializes in osteoporosis and age-related decline in bone strength. He also sees patients with rare bone diseases.

Dr. Suzanne Hecht is an associate professor with the Program in Sports Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a sports medicine physician with M Health Fairview. She’s also a team physician for University of Minnesota Athletics and U.S. Figure Skating and is a member of the USA Gymnastics National Healthcare Referral Network.