Calcium is a mineral that is essential to the growth and maintenance of strong bones. Your body needs a constant supply of calcium. When there is not enough calcium available from the diet, your body pulls what it needs from your bones. Over time, a diet lacking in calcium can lead to osteoporosis .
If you are at risk for or have osteoporosis, a diet high in calcium is one important part of your prevention or treatment plan. Calcium can help build and maintain strong bones. If you have osteoporosis, the diet can reduce the rate of bone loss.
In general, men and premenopausal women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. Postmenopausal women need 1,500 milligrams per day. Women who are nursing need 1,300 milligrams per day.
Rather than focusing on consuming more of just one calcium-rich food, such as milk, try adding a variety of different foods. The table below lists examples of some foods that are good sources of calcium:
Fruit |
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Cereals |
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Cheese |
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Yogurt |
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Milk (dairy) |
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Fish |
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Soy |
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Vegetables |
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In addition to increasing calcium intake, other important components of preventing or treating osteoporosis include:
Vitamin D is essential in order for your body to use the calcium you consume. Good sources of vitamin D include: fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, egg yolks, and sunlight. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, running, and strength-training, can help strengthen your bones. Also, quitting smoking is essential to stopping further bone loss.
While there is no single food to avoid on this diet, a diet extremely high in fiber or alcohol can interfere with calcium absorption in your body. Caffeine , found in coffee, tea or soda, can leach calcium out of your bones and into your urine.
Here are some tips on how to increase your intake of calcium:
RESOURCES:
National Dairy Council
http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/
National Osteoporosis Foundation
http://www.nof.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canada’s Food Guide
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
Osteoporosis Canada
http://www.osteoporosis.ca/
References:
Calcium intake and supplementation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed March 15, 2007.
Calcium and vitamin D. National Osteoporosis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.nof.org/prevention/calcium.htm . Accessed December 29, 2009.
Nutrition care manual. American Dietetic Association website. Available at: http://nutritioncaremanual.org/auth.cfm?p=%2Findex.cfm%3F. Accessed January 3, 2009.
Osteoporosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed March 15, 2007.
Last reviewed January 2010 by Maria Adams, MS, MPH, RD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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