Osteoporosis: What you should know!

A great deal of controversy surrounds the calcium supplementation issue. Studies of whether calcium supplementation prevent or treat osteoporosis have yielded mixed results. Some studies have failed to show a clear association between either childhood or adulthood calcium intake and the development of osteoporosis.  In fact, it appears that the body can adapt to low levels of dietary calcium.  People in some countries maintain calcium balance on intakes of 400 to 500mg per day.  (The Canadian health association is 1000mg per day depending in age.)

Suggestion: MCHC is great calcium it is derived from whole bone which is the easiest to absorb and contains other minerals (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite Concentration).  Cheapest source of calcium is Carbonate calcium.Beware of different calcium supplements which can do more harm than good.

Calcium balance means that there is neither a net loss nor a gain in bone tissue.

It is important to maintain an adequate calcium intake by eating a well-balanced diet: avoiding frequent dieting, heavy use of alcohol and smoking.  Female smokers have a lower estrogens levels and undergo menopause at an earlier age than non-smokers, so the experience less of estrogens’ protective effect.

Participating in regular physical activities helps increase bone mass during adolescence and young adulthood and to delay its loss thereafter.  Weight-bearing activities are the most suitable such as walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing as opposed to swimming.  Physical exercise places demands for strength on the bone, and homeostatic mechanism for regulation of bone density respond.  The proverb “use it or lose it” certainly applies to bone density. “Moderation in all things” applies as well.  Excessive exercise may lead to loss of bone mineral, possibly through an alteration of sex hormone levels.  This also applies to overload of calcium supplements since well-intentioned people sometimes figure that if some is good more is better.  This is not the case!  Not all calcium supplements is well absorbed in the body, it can interfere with the iron absorption while taken at the same time, it is equally important to have sufficient amounts of vit D & Magnesium when taking certain calcium supplements, in order to provide a blend of bone-nourishing nutrients which helps regulate intestinal absorption.  Please note it also depends in your body’s ability to assimilate foods and supplements.

People in high-risk such as fair-skinned, small, postmenopausal women, and those not able to get enough calcium from food choices may benefit from additional medical treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy , supplements and/or functional food`/medical food for great maintenance and prevention.

Nutraceuticals–a food or parts of foods that provide medical health benefits, including the prevention and/or treatment of disease; functional foods–foods that provide specific health benefits; medical foods–foods developed for use under medical supervision to treat or manage particular disease or nutritional deficiency states

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_163-eng.php

  Talk to your health practitioner to clarify any questions you have.

Anna R. Dias Naturopathy/Reflexology

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