Osteoporosis is a common type of bone disease. It occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone or when too much of the old bone is being re-absorbed by the body.


Calcium is essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, the body uses calcium to produce bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient, or if the body cannot absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone formation and bone tissue may suffer. Calcium may be reabsorbed into the body from the bones in which case the tissue is made weaker. Both situations can result in brittle fragile bones that are prone to fractures.