Osteoporosis is a disease. It is characterized by a loss in bone density, mass and strength, which lead to bones becoming more fragile and vulnerable to fracture. Unfortunately there are usually no symptoms of the disease. Doctors have not yet named a cause for the incidence of osteoporosis. There have however been several risk factors identified. Some of these factors are beyond our control. Osteoporosis can affect anyone, men and women of all ages and ethnicities. Those who are most afflicted are postmenopausal Caucasian women. Bone mass has been identified as the single most important factor in determining osteoporosis risk. Research has shown that up to seventy five percent of peak bone mass is determined by heredity. Peak bone mass is the maximum amount of bone mass that a person can reach in their lifetime. Gender and Race are also important determinants of bone mass.