Osteoporosis occurs more in particular a group of people. Those of yellow and white or thin women or short girls are at greater risk for osteoporosis. These are the main risk factors.

1. Major risk factors
Menopause is one of the risk factors for the presence of osteoporosis. The hormonal imbalance caused by menopause can cause rapid bone loss.

- Low bone mass.
- Family history of osteoporosis.
- Caucasian or Asian origin.
- Physical constitution thin or small.
- Snuff and alcohol.
- Somewhat exercise.
- Insufficient intake of calcium.
- Use of certain medications such as long-term therapy with steroids or menopause at an early age (before 45 years).

However, it is possible that a woman does not have any of these risk factors and still suffers osteoporosis.

2. Who are the most affected?
- Yellow and white races. The yellow and white races have lower bone mass than blacks and therefore, greater chance of developing the disease.

- Women thinner or shallower. Women too thin or short girls have greater risk for osteoporosis.

- With early menopause. Early menopause (before 40 years) and the removal of the ovaries without estrogen replacement leaves the body without the protective mechanism of estrogen on bone, which promotes bone loss. In the 5 years following menopause, a woman may lose 15% of their bone mass.

- Alcohol, coffee and cigarettes. Excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee and cigarettes are factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis.

3. It should be recalled …
Physical activity increases bone mass in the areas concerned, while inactivity and immobilization cause their loss. (The strenuous sport can cause loss of bone mass).

Inadequate intake of calcium, which can not replenish the losses of the bone is an essential factor in the onset of osteoporosis. Therefore, calcium intake (1,500 mg daily) is one of the best defenses against osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is known as the quantitative reduction of bone tissue. Its consequences are so severe that they constitute a serious health problem because of its enormous socioeconomic impact.

1. What is it?
Osteoporosis is a disease that involves a progressive decrease in bone mass. This causes the decrease bone strength and can even break from mild trauma or even spontaneously. It is a disease that is generated slowly and can develop without symptoms until you are microfractures that cause physical disability, pain and fractures.

2. Who gets this disease?
80% of people with this disease are women, ie sometimes affects more women than men. It is estimated that one in three postmenopausal women will suffer from osteoporosis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is that which occurs in the years following the end of regulation in women. During the ten years following menopause, women lose 50% of their bone mass. This is due to cessation of the action of circulating estrogen in protecting bone mass loss.

An estimated 200 million women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. In Europe and the United States an estimated one third of women over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in their lives.

In Spain, have more than three million women and 500,000 is the cause bone fractures a year. Only 300,000 women are receiving treatment.

Increased life expectancy grows the number of women reach menopause, with a consequent increase in osteoporosis will suffer.

Since menopause contributes to loss of calcium from bone, is critical to reach this age with strong bones and well mineralized.