| Osteoporosis is a common disease. In America, it | | | | calcium absorption. Vitamin C is one calcium enhancer. |
| affects approximately one in nine. That works out to | | | | But more importantly, Vitamin D is vital for calcium |
| 28 million people, with of them being women over | | | | being transformed into a usable form by increasing |
| middle age. While some bone loss is inevitable as we | | | | calcium absorption in the small intestines and retention |
| age, there are precautions we can take to protect our | | | | by the kidneys. |
| bones and reduce bone loss and the risk of developing | | | | There are trace elements that enhance calcium |
| osteoporosis. | | | | absorption. Boron maintains calcium and magnesium |
| Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become | | | | levels by aiding the body in it's synthesize with both |
| weak or brittle and are much more prone to breaking. | | | | estrogen and vitamin D. Silicon is also important. Silicon |
| If not prevented or treated, it can lead to easily broken | | | | helps to support calcium in the maintenance and |
| bones, especially that of the wrist, hips and spine. | | | | growth of bones and joints. |
| According to the Centers for Disease Control, 90 | | | | Estrogen plays an integral role in the body's use of |
| percent of American women are calcium deficient on | | | | calcium. Estrogen both increases calcium absorption |
| a daily basis. Being deficient in calcium puts you at risk | | | | and decreases its urinary excretion. |
| for gum disease, menstrual cramping, depression, | | | | Exercise is one of the most important things that can |
| insomnia and down the road it can lead to | | | | be done to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Bones |
| osteoporosis. So it is clearly important for us to be | | | | grow stronger with physical stress. Weight bearing |
| aware of how much Calcium we eat. We need to try | | | | exercise is the most important form of exercise to |
| and eat more foods rich in calcium and add calcium to | | | | protect your bones. A study by the Mayo Clinic found |
| the diet as supplements. | | | | that women who exercise twice a week have denser |
| Some of the foods which are rich in calcium are dairy | | | | bones than those who exercise once a week, which in |
| products of nearly all kinds, greens such as turnip, bock | | | | turn have denser bones than those who never |
| choy, mustard and broccoli, oysters, blackstrap | | | | exercise at all. Even sedentary postmenopausal |
| molasses, almonds and even some mineral waters. | | | | women increased bone mass by 5 percent after nine |
| It is important to note that some of the foods we eat | | | | months of an exercise program and a high-calcium |
| have natural inhibitors to Calcium absorption. Foods like | | | | diet. |
| spinach, sorrel, rhubarb, and dandelion greens contain | | | | We can conclude that if you want protect your bones, |
| oxalic acid which binds to calcium to form calcium | | | | exercise and proper diets and supplements will be |
| oxalate, which is indigestible. | | | | important for your health. Choosing the right |
| Grains can also interfere with calcium absorption. | | | | supplement can be difficult with so many products out |
| Phytic acid is found in grains and this is a phophoruslike | | | | there. Many experts believe that postmenopausal |
| compound that combines with calcium in the intestines | | | | women need up to 1,500 mg of calcium daily. When |
| and blocks its absorption. Most people do not need to | | | | looking for a calcium supplement look for one that is |
| worry too much about this unless you are eating a | | | | also high in magnesium. You will also want to either find |
| very high carbohydrate diet. | | | | one with Vitamin D already in it, or take a separate D |
| There are also nutrients that will enhance the | | | | at a minimum of 400 I.U. |
| absorption of calcium. Magnesium helps with calcium | | | | Isn't it now time that you take action and prevent |
| metabolism and in transporting calcium in to bones and | | | | yourself from the risks of osteoporosis? Consult your |
| soft tissues. Magnesium is also important for | | | | physician for advice on starting an exercise plan if you |
| preventing calcium oxalate crystals from forming which | | | | are not already doing so. And look for a quality calcium |
| is what kidney stones are made from. | | | | magnesium supplement to protect your bones so that |
| There are also vitamins which are important for | | | | you can enjoy a healthy, active life in your later years. |