The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic encourages all of their patients to be active to help maintain strong muscles and healthy bones. But the month of May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and we would like to challenge not just our patients but all adults to get a total of 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week.
The health of our bones rely on a balanced diet and a steady stream of nutrients, most importantly, calcium and Vitamin D.
Calcium is a mineral that people need to build and maintain strong bones throughout their lives. It is also very important for other physical functions, such as muscle control and blood circulation.Our bodies are unable to manufacture it so calcium must be absorbed from the foods we eat and to effectively absorb it from food, our bodies also need Vitamin D.
If we do not have enough calcium in our diets to keep our bodies functioning, calcium is removed from where it is stored in our bones. Over time, this causes our bones to grow weaker and may lead to osteoporosis — a disorder in which bones become very fragile and easier to damage even with normal day activities.
Postmenopausal women are most vulnerable to osteoporosis. Although loss of estrogen is the primary reason for this, poor lifelong calcium and Vitamin D intake, as well as lack of exercise, play a role in the development of osteoporosis.
Exercises is important too in that it encourages our bodies to build up the strength of the bones. In response to weight bearing exercises (that includes some type of resistance exercise for the upper and lower extremities) the bodies lays down more calcium and thus strengthens the architecture of the existing bone.
Note that men also are at risk for osteoporosis — typically later in life than women — and it is important for them to keep track of calcium intakes, as well.
Calcium needs vary with age. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies provides guidelines on the amount of calcium needed each day.
Women and men 9 to 18 years 1,300 mg
Women and men 19 to 50 years 1,000 mg
Women 51 to 70 years 1,200 mg
Men 51 to 70 years 1,000 mg
Women and men > 70 years 1,200 mg
Pregnant or nursing women 14 to 18 years 1,300 mg
Pregnant or nursing women 19 to 50 years 1,000 mg
Source – National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
People can get the recommended daily amount of calcium by eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of calcium-rich foods. Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products are the biggest food sources of calcium. Other high-calcium foods include:
-Kale, broccoli, Chinese cabbage (bok choy), and other green leafy vegetables
-Sardines, salmon, and other soft-bone fish
-Tofu
-Breads, pastas and grains
-Calcium-fortified cereals, juices, and other beverages.
-Almonds
Some foods make it harder for the body to absorb calcium. In particular, sodas and carbonated beverages should be avoided, not just for bone health but for many nutritional reasons, including preventing obesity. Sodas decrease calcium absorption in the intestines and contain empty calories. Milk, calcium-fortified juices, and water are better beverage alternatives for all age groups.
Although adequate calcium can be obtained through your diet, it is difficult for many people, particularly for those who avoid dairy products. People who are lactose-intolerant or vegetarians who do not eat dairy products have a harder time getting enough calcium from foods.
It is also hard to get enough calcium from the diet during certain times of our lives, such as in adolescence when our bodies require more calcium to build strong bones for life. Postmenopausal women and men older than age 70 also require more calcium to slow down bone loss.
We recommend calcium supplements to those who do not get enough calcium from the foods they eat. Although calcium is sometimes found in multivitamins, it is typically not in significant amounts. Many people need to take separate calcium supplements to ensure they reach the Recommended Dietary Allowance for their life stage.
Not all the calcium consumed — whether through food or supplement — is actually absorbed in the intestines. Research shows that calcium is absorbed most efficiently when it is taken in doses less than 500 mg. Because many calcium supplements come in 500 mg doses, people who require 1,000 mg of supplementation each day should take their doses at separate times. Newer daily slow release formulations of calcium citrate that supply 1200 mg have recently become available and could also be considered.
So take care of your bone’s needs and they will serve you well. It is never too late to begin the bone healthy lifestyle of EXERCISE, CALCIUM and VITAMIN D.