1. b There are 206 bones in an adult’s body.
2. a The insides of your bones are porous. As you age, bone density decreases—the “holes” in the “sponge” become larger—and the bones weaken. The word osteoporosis comes from the Greek words for “porous bone.”
3. b Osteoporosis doesn’t show on the surface, which is why many people don’t discover it until they break a bone. Fingernail ridges and thinning hair are signs of aging, but not of osteoporosis.
4. C Osteopenia is less severe than osteoporosis; bone density is reduced, but there’s still time to fight back. Build bones by stoping smoking, limiting alcohol and walking, running or dancing for exercise.
5. a An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 Americans suffer hip fractures each year, mainly due to falls. Exercise that improves balance, such as tai chi, can keep you on your feet. Regular vision tests and removing tripping hazards from your home can help, too.
6. c A bone mineral density (BMD) scan determines your T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a 30-year-old person of your gender and race. The more you deviate from that standard, the more likely you are to develop osteoporosis.
7. c Typically, bone mineral density scans are done every two years, but new research indicates that you might be able get screened less frequently if your bones look healthy. That decision is up to your doctor.
8. b A Florida State University study found that eating dried plums—a.k.a. prunes—can slow the deterioration of bones. A serving of 10 prunes fulfills your body’s daily requirement for boron, a known osteoporosis fighter.
9. a Crossing your legs when you sit puts your spine out of alignment and can result in back pain. Healthy sitting posture places both your feet flat on the floor with your knees and hips level.
10. a In general, exercises that require you to bend at the waist—such as crunches and toe-touches—are not recommended for people with osteoporosis because they put strain on the spine.
