Age-related bone loss is a serious condition.

It not only increases the risk for fractures, but it also increases the risk for death; especially if bone loss occurs quickly. This is why it's important to stay active as you age, as this can preserve bone mass and strength.

Staying active with weight bearing and resistance exercises is a great way to build up bone density.

It's also important to take supplements that are high in vitamin D and vitamin K2. Calcium is important, but if you're low in vitamin D and K2, the calcium doesn't work properly in your body.

Have you thought about using melatonin to help with bone density?

You might think melatonin is only used to help promote natural sleep, but melatonin has also been shown to improve your bone health.

Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that's produced in the pineal gland under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the light/dark cycle.

Melatonin also plays an important role in blood pressure regulation, immune function and now has been linked to bone remodeling.

PEW Research in March 2014 looked at effects of bone mass and volume with the use of melatonin in 22 month old rats. The first group of rats was treated for 10 weeks with melatonin, the other group was not.

The study looked at proteins in bones, minerals in bones, bone strength, flexibility and density. What the study found was no surprise that melatonin can help improve your bone health.

The rats treated with melatonin had higher bone volume and stronger bone density and bone strength than those rats that didn't take melatonin.

Dr. Mike discusses what happens to your bones as they age, why it's important to support bone health and how melatonin can improve your bone health.