• Perform weight-bearing exercise like walking, dancing, running
• Get adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D. Eating high-calcium foods (milk, cheese, yogurt, saltwater fish, liver) helps strengthen bones. Dairy products are the primary source of vitamin D in the American diet, but the body can also get vitamin D from other foods and sunlight.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not drink alcohol excessively. If you tip back more than two drinks a day, you may decrease bone formation in your body and reduce your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
• Consider limiting intake of caffeine and salt. Although not conclusive, there is some evidence that consuming reduced amounts of these substances can lower the risk of osteoporosis. Cutting back on salt, coffee, tea, cola and other sodas would be a wise choice
• Talk to your doctor if you use certain medications. Use of corticosteroids such as prednisone or cortisone may place you at increased risk of osteoporosis. Other medications include diuretics, thyroid hormone drugs, anticoagulant medications, anti-seizure medications, antacids, and some cancer drugs.
• Ask about hormone replacement therapy. If you have reached menopause, ask your doctor whether or not you should consider treatment with hormone medications. Women who participate in hormone therapy reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
• Take good care of your health. Preventable conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and eating disorders are all associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Regular exercise and eating a well-balanced diet lowers your risk of developing these diseases and, by extension, osteoporosis.

Additional Resources:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fm195
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/prevent.htm