The International Osteoporosis Foundation’s initiative for this year’s World Osteoporosis Day on October 20, 2025 seeks to “put the spotlight on the persistent and preventable crisis in osteoporosis care.” With a tagline of “It’s Unacceptable!” the campaign calls on the public, healthcare providers and health authorities to close the treatment gap, dismantle misconceptions and make bone health a global priority.
We couldn’t agree more! As with all diseases and illnesses, early detection and prevention are better than cure. And, in the case of osteoporosis, we believe taking a natural, preventative approach is far better than resorting to medication. We believe you can manage, halt and even reverse it through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choice.
Silent disease
Every year, thousands of people in the UK break bones not just because of accidents—but because their bones have silently weakened over time. This is osteoporosis, a condition where low bone density makes bones fragile and prone to fractures.
Leaving it too late
What’s truly shocking is how often osteoporosis goes undetected until it’s too late. In fact, up to 80% of patients who suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis never get diagnosed or treated for the underlying condition. That means countless opportunities for prevention and protection are being missed. Our ageing population means the number of people suffering fractures is rising. So, yes, the claim from the International Osteoporosis Foundation is no exaggeration: this situation is ‘unacceptable.’
Prevention is the preferred route
The good news? Osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of ageing. By acting early, the risk of developing weak bone and suffering painful, life-limiting fractures, would be significantly reduced. Prevention and management rely on two things: identifying those most at risk and supporting bone health through diet, lifestyle and expert care.
Who should be screened?
As the disease is ‘silent’, giving few indications that you may have osteoporosis until a fracture occurs, having a screening to determine your bone health would be a good place to start. This is particularly true if you have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis including:
- Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
- Women post-menopause, especially if you had an early menopause
- Men and women over 65
- Long-term use of steroids
- Low body weight or eating disorders
- Conditions affecting absorption of nutrients (eg coeliac disease, Crohn’s)
- Previous fragility fractures
The DEXA Scan
Wouldn’t it be great if all women had such a scan as a matter of routine? Or if any of the above triggered a scan? Sadly, that rarely happens. In most cases the ‘patient’ needs to be pro-active. This means seeing your GP, discussing your situation and requesting a scan.
A simple bone density scan (DEXA – Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry – scan) can identify early problems before fractures occur. It can just as easily show that there are no early indicators which would be reassuring to know. Whether you have osteopenia, osteoporosis or not, it’s important to look after your bones.
Nutrition: Why It’s Important
Good nutrition forms the building blocks for strong bones. Remember that bone is a living tissue that constantly looks to renew itself – even into older age – but this process requires certain nutrients to work successfully. The most important nutrients are listed below – with a quick explanation as to what they do in your body and in which foods they can be most readily found:
- Vitamin D – aids calcium absorption; in the UK, supplementation is often recommended, especially in autumn and winter.
- Calcium – vital for bone structure; sources include dairy, fortified plant milks, leafy greens and almonds.
- Magnesium – supports bone formation; found in nuts, seeds, wholegrains, and legumes.
- Bioactive collagen peptides to help maintain bone density by stimulating bone-building cells. bonebalance is a FSMP (Food for Special Medical Purposes) for low bone mineral density, osteopenia and osteoporosis: just 5g a day is all you need.
Lifestyle: your bone health insurance
Prevention is not only about what you eat. It’s also about what you do: how active you are and what types of activity you undertake. And what habits you have – be they good or bad
- Exercise: Weight-bearing and resistance activities (walking, dancing, running and strength training) stimulate bone strength. Balance exercises (like tai chi or yoga) reduce fall risk. It’s important to note that other forms of exercise such as swimming or cycling are excellent for your cardiovascular health and may also help you maintain a healthy weight (keep them up!) but they do not improve bone strength or density
- Healthy body weight: Being underweight or obese can negatively affect your bone health.
- Avoid smoking and excess alcohol: Both reduce bone density and increase fracture risk.
Don’t wait for the break – be pro-active
As the International Osteoporosis Foundation warns, don’t wait for the break: by the time this happens, the damage is done and your risk is high for future fractures. Be pro-active, eat and exercise well and demand a bone health screening if you have any of the risk factors or have had a fracture.
Your independence, mobility and quality of life rely on you having healthy bones.
Which is why waiting until it’s too late is unacceptable.