Let summer fun bolster your bones

Strong bones keep you steady and block debilitating falls. Yet 1 in 3 women over age 50 have osteoporosisweak and brittle bones prone to fracture-thanks to plunging estrogen levels. And up to 59% of us don't realize it! Once diagnosed, prescriptions can help. But they can cause nausea, heartburn and joint pain. To the rescue: fun fixes that keep your skeleton strong

- Alyssa Sybertz

Play pickleball 

A Danish study found enjoying weight-bearing activities daily cuts the risk of bone thinning and fractures by 51%. How? It stimulates the activity of bone-building cells called osteoblasts. Plus, lateral movements across the court provide some of the largest vertical ground reaction forces of any movement, meaning a dash to the side delivers more bone-strengthening impact than a step to the front.

Drink a summer ale