When the balance between bone resorption and
bone formation is altered, if there is more breakdown
than replacement, bone loss occurs. This typically
occurs in postmenopausal women and with many of
the secondary causes of osteoporosis noted earlier. It
follows, then, that to alter the bone remodeling cycle
and improve bone density only 2 avenues are possible: either slow or stop bone resorption, or enhance bone formation (Figure 1)