When was the last time you saw a small, humpbacked old woman or man crossing a street or standing in the checkout line at the market—realizing that could be you one of these days if you didn’t become more proactive about preserving your bone mass?

If you’re past 60—and chances you are if you’re reading this article—you may be one of the 8 million American women or 2 million men suffering from “osteoporosis”—possibly without even knowing it. But you don’t need to become one of the 1.5 million victims of bone fracture. While the ideal scenario is prevention—having a hands-on parent in childhood that encourages you to take regular exercise and calcium—it’s never too late to take charge of your bone health and stop any further loss from taking place. In fact, by implementing a very simple plan, you might even reverse your condition. So, what are you waiting for? 

The first thing on your agenda is to make an appointment with a radiologist for a bone mass screening. This is particularly important if you have a small frame, a family history of osteoporosis, are a smoker, drink in excess, or have already experienced a loss of height. If you used to be 5’8” and are now measuring in at 5’6”, for instance, don’t blame it on the ineptitude of your doctor’s staff or your habit of not standing straight. Your bone mass is shrinking as you are sitting there now and reading these words.

After discussing the results of your screening with your doctor, he will assist you in coming up with a treatment that works best for you—whether it’s Boniva or Fosamax or something else, perhaps, in an alternative line of products. Depending on the extent of damage already done to your skeleton, you may only need to add some calcium to your diet, along with a regular exercise regimen.  

Whatever you do, don’t wait till you look in the mirror and see that stooped over woman or man before you start taking action.

And while you’re at it, pour yourself a glass of calcium-fortified orange juice. It’s a good way to start.