Osteoporosis, a metabolic bone disease, haunts many women who are stepping into their fifties or heading to menopause. As per an estimation released by The National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately eight million women in the USA are affected by osteoporosis. This figure is shocking enough to make you, as a woman, frown with stress. Osteoporosis is curable; it can be prevented by taking certain nutrients such as vitamin D3, vitamin K and calcium.

Read further to get to know how this trio can help you keep osteoporosis at bay.

First of all, you should understand what exactly osteoporosis is and how does it affect your body.

Osteoporosis means 'porous bones'. To be more precise, in this condition, tiny pores develop on bones, making them weak and more likely to break. It is called a 'silent disease' because it develops gradually over many years without causing any significant symptoms.

Although osteoporosis can strike at any age, women are likely to develop this condition after menopause because after menopause women's bodies produce less estrogen, which prevents bone loss.

The good news is that osteoporosis can be prevented. All you have to do is to be careful about what you are eating, and ponder upon bone-building nutrients along with weight-bearing exercises.

As far as bodybuilding nutrients are concerned, try to include vitamin D3, vitamin K and calcium in your everyday diet. This trio can help you maintain your bone health throughout your life.

Calcium: You should include calcium-rich products in your diet such as milk, cheese, leafy green vegetables and yogurt.

Vitamin D3: Having only calcium-rich food does not ensure bone health. You have to increase your body's ability to absorb calcium from the diet that you are taking. Here, vitamin D3 plays a vital role. This nutrient helps your body absorb maximum calcium from your diet, which, further, ensures bone and general health. Your body produces vitamin D3 when it is exposed to sunlight; plus, your body can also get this nutrient from alternatives such as eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil.

Vitamin K: The adequate amount of vitamin K activates osteocalcin, a protein circulating in the blood, that helps calcium ions bind the matrix of bone making them stronger. This nutrient has two forms, i.e., K1 and K2. Both forms are equally important for bone and overall health. Vitamin K2 is found in fermented food such as ripe cheese and yogurt; whereas K1 is abundantly found in green leafy vegetables.

Further, you can consider having osteoporosis supplements enriched with bone-building nutrients.