Osteoporosis or porous bones is a silent disease and one of the most common disorders of postmenopausal women. It affects almost one-third of all women over 50 and is a major cause of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Bones become thin and brittle because of lack of calcium that is controlled by the female hormone estrogen. As estrogen levels drop following menopause, the bones break easily, leading to painful, crippling and sometimes fatal injuries.

"For someone with this condition, a vigorous cough may fracture a rib; lifting a heavy object (like a grandchild) or taking a bumpy car ride may crack a bone in the spine - so will vigorous dancing. Osteoporotic bones also fracture spontaneously, for no apparent reason. When they do so in the spinal column, it collapses, leaving the affected woman with the familiar 'dowager's hump' and considerably shorter," according to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital in "Doctor, What Should I Eat?"

The best way to get calcium is to drink a lot of milk and eat calcium-rich foods like cheddar or mozzarella cheese, salmon, sardines, tofu, and yogurt. Another helpful strategy is to avoid substances that rob calcium from your body. These calcium robbers include coffee and alcohol.

Coffee, cola, and tea are bad for your bones because they contain caffeine that promotes the excretion of calcium through the urine. At risk are those who drink more than two cups of brewed coffee or four cups of brewed tea a day. The calories from cola drinks can also make you fat and put extra strain on your bones. Another bad habit is smoking since nicotine interferes with calcium absorption. Those who smoke have lower bone mass.

Weight-bearing exercises can strengthen your bones and protect you from osteoporosis. Jumping and hopping in particular can help create healthy bones. To keep fit, take Phenocal, a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to give you the body you want. Visit for details.