High-Calcium Diet
Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment
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 .
Why Should I Follow a High-Calcium Diet?
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.
How Much Calcium Do I Need?
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.
What Are Some Good Sources of Calcium?
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 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cereals |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cheese |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Yogurt |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Milk (dairy) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Fish |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Soy |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Vegetables |
|
What Other Dietary or Lifestyle Changes Should I Make?
In addition to increasing calcium intake, other important components of preventing or treating osteoporosis include:
- Getting adequate vitamin D
- Engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise
- Quitting smoking
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.
Are There Any Foods That I Should Avoid?
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.
Suggestions on Increasing Calcium Intake
Here are some tips on how to increase your intake of calcium:
- Choose breakfast cereals that are fortified with calcium.
- Add milk instead of water when making oatmeal.
- Use canned salmon, instead of tuna, to make lunch salads.
- Drink calcium-fortified orange juice.
- Add nonfat dry milk to recipes, such as pancakes, bread, cookies, puddings, and cocoa.
- Use yogurt in place of sour cream or mayonnaise when making dressings, dips, or sauces.
- Add shredded cheese to foods, such as baked potatoes, casseroles, and salads.
- If you are finding it difficult to get enough calcium through your diet alone, talk to your doctor about taking calcium supplements.
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.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.