The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends the following strategies for maintaining bone health:

Get your daily recommended amount of calcium. Calcium not only keeps bones strong, it's also responsible for regulating heartbeat, maintaining blood clotting, signaling hormone secretion, and controlling nerve impulses. Since the human body is not capable of producing calcium and loses it daily through sweat, urine, skin, nails, and hair, you must consume calcium through your diet. When you don't get enough calcium, your body must strip it from your bones in order to perform the necessary functions. Good sources of calcium include dairy products and broccoli, both of which are found on The South Beach Diet and fortified vegetable juices or cereals.

Get your daily recommended amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D is equally as important as calcium, since it's vitamin D that allows calcium to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Ideally, you get vitamin D from direct exposure to sunlight. Since sun exposure can be affected by pollution, weather, and activity level, it's also important to get vitamin D from fortified dairy products, egg yolks, and saltwater fish.

Engage in regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises. Like muscle, bone becomes stronger the more you work it. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the most important activities for building bone mass. Weight-bearing exercises are those in which you work against gravity (jogging, walking, climbing stairs, dancing), while resistance exercises involve lifting weights. To maximize results, vary the type of exercise you do on a daily basis.

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. These lifestyle choices put you at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

Talk to your doctor about bone health. Your doctor may recommend frequent bone density tests to check for signs of bone deterioration, and in some cases he or she may even prescribe medication when appropriate.