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Bone Health and Calcium

Calcium is a mineral found in bones and teeth that humans need in order to keep their bones strong and dense

An inadequate supply of calcium can result in osteoporosis, a condition which weakens and fractures bones causing pain, reduced quality of life, or even death.

Diet is the best way to obtain sufficient calcium intake, with dairy products and other foods high in calcium being included as staples in any healthy diet. But some individuals may require nutritional supplements.

How does calcium affect bone health?

Calcium is obtained through diet. You can source it through dairy foods like milk, yoghurt and cheese as well as fortified cereals, sardines (in cans), leafy green vegetables and nuts and seeds. Your body also stores calcium within its bones; without sufficient intake from diet it may lose density and become weak.

Calcium intake is crucial to building strong bones throughout life, particularly during middle age. After age 30, bone loss begins outpacing new bone formation, potentially leading to osteoporosis – an incurable condition of weak and fragile bones which causes fractures.

Exercise regularly to keep your bones strong. Walking, dancing, jogging, weightlifting and racquet sports are all excellent exercises that can benefit the bones if done moderately; drinking plenty of fluids is also vital; for best results it is wise to maintain a well-balanced diet with enough calcium content (if applicable) from diet alone; otherwise your doctor may suggest supplementation; however taking too much calcium can increase risk factors such as heart attack, stroke, kidney stones and digestive disorders so when selecting supplements be wary – as not all types contain similar benefits!

Does calcium make your bones healthier?

From birth until around age 30, your body builds new bone faster than it breaks down old one, increasing total bone density as calcium plays an essential role. After that, though, bone resorption slows and bone density declines naturally with age as your rate of breaking down slows and bone density drops naturally with time.

Your body relies on calcium for bone building and strengthening as well as essential functions like blood vessel contraction/expansion, nerve impulse transmission and gland secretion. Without sufficient amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet, bones may become weaker and break more readily.

Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and taking low dose calcium supplements (as advised by your physician) are the two best ways to ensure adequate calcium consumption. Some foods make it harder for your body to absorb calcium; therefore, when trying to increase calcium intake it may be wiser to limit their consumption.

Foods rich in calcium include dairy products, dark-green leafy vegetables (such as kale and turnip greens), salmon and other fatty fish, soybeans and other beans as well as fortified cereals and juices. Additionally, five medium fresh figs provide approximately 90 milligrams of this bone-strengthening mineral; to further maximize your consumption consider opting for organically produced varieties.

Does calcium rebuild bone density?

Calcium is not only essential to maintaining strong bones; it plays an essential role in other functions as well, such as blood vessel contraction/dilation, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. Therefore, obtaining enough calcium becomes even more crucial as you age.

Diet and exercise can both play an essential part in keeping our bones strong. When considering nutrition, prioritize foods rich in calcium such as dairy products, dark green vegetables like kale and turnip greens as well as fortified cereals and milk products containing fortified with it. Furthermore, limit sodium and sugar consumption which may increase bone fragility.

Calcium can be found in various food and supplement forms. Adults should aim to get at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily – particularly those at risk for osteoporosis (i.e. men and women over 50). This recommendation applies specifically to adults at risk.

If you are at risk of osteoporosis, it is wise to speak to your physician. They may recommend taking a multivitamin that contains Vitamin D and calcium or they could prescribe medication such as bisphosphonates, estrogen, or raloxifene to prevent bone loss. Women and men treated for breast or prostate cancer are also at greater risk due to treatments that affect hormone levels; such treatments could affect whether osteoporosis will develop in them later.

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