Bone density is a measure of the amount of minerals(mostly calcium and phosphorus) in the bone. It is also known as bone mineral density or bone mass.
Bones with high mineral density are denser and stronger and they are less likely to fracture. Your bones are made of living tissue.
To keep your bones strong, your body breaks down old bones and replaces them with new ones. However, when more bone is broken down than replaced, you lose bone density.
The interior of the bones is made of a honeycomb structure with tiny holes to keep them light and springy.
As the bones are not solid from the inside, so when the bones lose their mineral density they have much larger holes as well as thin cortical walls, which can increase their risk of fracturing.
Causes of decrease in bone density include:
You lose bone density as you age. Other factors include a family history of osteoporosis or low bone mass, poor diet, low physical activity, heavy alcohol use, and certain medical conditions.
Certain lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet(particularly rich in calcium, and vitamin D), regular exercise, avoiding alcohol, or quitting smoke can help you to prevent low bone density.