A metabolic bone disorder. Occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” When viewed under a microscope, healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs the holes and spaces in the “honeycomb” are much larger than in healthy bone. The bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. This occurs from a lack of calcium and phosphate. Calcium is essential for properly functioning the heart, brain, and other organs. Keeping up with those critical demands of those organs, the body reabsorbs calcium that is stored in the bones to maintain calcium blood levels. If calcium isn’t sufficient
