Osteoporosis: Definition, Signs, risk factors and Practical Prevention Steps. Osteoporosis: Learn the signs, key risk factors, and practical prevention steps. Discover the crucial roles of Calcium, Vitamin D, and exercise in bone density. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to fractures . The word osteoporosis literally means " porous bone ." Think of your bones like a honeycomb; in osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in this "honeycomb" become much larger, causing the bone to lose density and strength. What is Osteoporosis? Our bones are living, growing tissue that are constantly being broken down and rebuilt in a process called bone remodeling . In our younger years, the body creates new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, so our bone mass increases. We reach our peak bone mass in our late 20 s or early 30 s After this point, bone remodeling continues, but the balance shifts. Bon...