Restricting carbohydrates may prove to have serious consequences for bone health. On a low-carbohydrate diet, milk, nuts and most dairy products are avoided due to their carbohydrate levels, but this also means a dramatic decrease in calcium intake. Unless your diet is supplemented with calcium tablets, you won't get enough calcium. Carbohydrates should make up between 40 and 60 percent of your calories per day.

Research also shows that a low-carbohydrate diet can also cause the blood to become more acidic. This can result in an increase in the amount of calcium leeched out of the bones.

Excess protein has also been identified as a contributing factor to osteoporosis. Diets which limit carbohydrates tend to be high in meat consumption which could increase the risk of osteoporosis.

When you combine less dietary calcium, extra leeching from the bones, and a diet high in protein, low-carbohydrate diets aren’t really all they’re cracked up to be – unless that’s a cracking of the bones you’re after...

As well as getting enough calcium, vitamin D and carbohydrate, regular weight-bearing exercise is also important in preventing osteoporosis. Exercise where you are supporting your own weight helps maintain and build bone strength, and can determine the maximum bone density that a person achieves.

Examples of weight bearing exercise include:

• Going for a walk
• Lifting weights
• Jogging
• Strength training
• Playing volleyball
• Kicking a soccer ball
• Walking the dog

Find as many ways as you can to incorporate these types of exercise into your day, and encourage your family members to join you to keep the whole family’s bones strong and healthy.