Risk factors
Understand what your risk factors mean for your bones
How many risk factors are affecting your bone health right now?
If you’re like most women, you may be aware of a few of your risk factors, like
age, menopause or family history. Maybe these risk factors have left you feeling
a little frightened and helpless to the risks of osteoporosis and bone loss. If
you have a moderate or high risk of fracture, you may feel like bone density drugs
are your only option to prevent fractures, despite your apprehension about their
side effects.
We’re happy to tell you that for every risk factor you can’t change, there is at
least one that you can change — and many of these may surprise you. And no matter what
your risk of fracture or the current state of your bone health, you can build denser,
stronger bones — without drugs.
This may be a message you haven’t heard before. But in over 25 years of clinical
practice we have helped thousands of women dial down their risk of fracture, and
you can too. So let’s start by understanding your risk factors and what they really
mean for your bone health.
Your risk is not your destiny
When you have a lot of risk factors, or just a few strong risk factors, it’s easy
to feel like you’re doomed for problems with your bone health — especially with
all the frightening statistics we see in the media about bone health and fracture.
But the statistics on lifetime fracture risk project what might happen if you do
nothing to improve your bone health. On the other hand, when you take advantage
of the many opportunities to support your bones, you will reduce your odds of a
fracture.
When patients come to our healthcare clinic with bone health concerns, we always
point out that these risk factors did not develop overnight. In fact, you’ve been
living with them for quite some time and haven’t fractured yet. So take heart. Being
at risk for a certain event does not cause it to occur. It simply means you should
be aware of your body’s unique needs.
If you have already had a fracture, don’t be dismayed. It’s never too late to improve
the health of your bones. You may have to work a little harder at it because of
your starting point, but I promise you it’s possible to build bone regardless of
your current bone health status.
Wisdom to know the difference
There are some risk factors you can’t change, and others you can. Worrying about
the former won’t help your health — in fact, that extra stress will have the opposite
effect. And if you make decisions about your health out of fear, you’re less likely
to make the best long-term choices for your bones.
Many women go their entire lives with a very high risk of fracture, and yet never
break a bone. The key is to take advantage of the many opportunities that exist
to improve your bone health, and leave the rest behind.
So simply let go of the risk factors you can’t change — and let’s learn how to take
control of the ones you can.
Our Personal Program for Better Bones is a great place to start
The Personal Program for Better Bones promotes natural bone strength and regeneration
with nutritional supplements, our exclusive bone builder formula, dietary and lifestyle
guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse-Educators. It is based
on over 25 years of research and experience and has helped thousands of women reclaim
their bone health.
- To learn more about the Personal Program for Better Bones, go to
How it works.
- To choose the version of the Program that’s right for you, go to
Compare plans.
- To assess your bone health and fracture risk, take our free
Bone Health Profile.
- To start taking control of your bone health today, sign-up for a
risk-free trial.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-685-3275.
We’re here to listen and to help.
Original Publication Date: 05/11/2009
Last Modified:
08/17/2009