Five years ago, the online publication TechCrunch predicted that in 2021, checkbooks, cash, credit cards, and passwords would be entirely replaced by digital magic.

Well, that didn't happen. But we can see the advantages of eliminating them (especially passwords).

The new recommendations for postmenopausal use of the bone-building medications called bisphosphonates say they too should be gone in five years — gone from your medication regimen, that is.

JAMA has released a "Patient Page" that outlines the latest findings on using these medications to halt the bone deterioration of osteoporosis, reducing the 1.5 million related fractures every year. Those fractures lead to more than half a million hospitalizations and more than 800,000 emergency room visits, as well as the placement of 180,000 people in nursing homes.

The risks associated with bisphosphonates include loss of blood supply to the jawbone (rare) and fracture of the thighbone.

Necrosis of the jawbone often happens after an invasive dental procedure (ask about stopping such medications before the work is done).

Fracture of the thigh bone becomes more likely after taking the bisphosphonates for five years.

Stopping these medications before that maximizes benefits (they're substantial) while minimizing the risks.

That's especially true if you also adopt bone-protecting lifestyle habits, such as doing strength-building exercise two or three times a week; jumping 20 times morning and night (if your doctor agrees); eating calcium-rich foods such as dark leafy greens, canned salmon, and fortified soy products; and making sure to get 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium daily from food and 600-800 IU of vitamin D daily from foods and supplements.