$Unique_ID{BRK01907}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Calcium:  The Pre-Menopause Treatment for Osteoporosis}
$Subject{Calcium Pre-Menopause treat Treatment treatments Osteoporosis
menopause bone bones strength strengthen harden diet diets prevent prevention
preventions recommend recommendation recommendations intake Dairy milk yogurt
vegetable vegetables source sources vitamin vitamins D body absorb absorption
oxalate oxalates nourish nourished nourishment exercise exercises exercised}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Contributing Factors to Osteoporosis*0005701.scf
Osteoporosis*0005702.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Calcium:  The Pre-Menopause Treatment for Osteoporosis


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QUESTION:  My best guess is that I have another 10 years before menopause, if
my mother's experience can serve as a guideline.  She now suffers from a
serious case of osteoporosis.  How much calcium do I have to take now to
prevent history from repeating?  I have read that taking calcium before
menopause is the best time to do it.

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ANSWER:  Your information is correct.  Building up your bone strength before
menopause is good insurance against osteoporosis.  Calcium is an essential
part of that process, and a diet that contains enough calcium can help you
achieve that goal.  Though authorities vary a bit on their recommendations you
should strive for an intake of between 800 to 1000 mg a day, and I tend to
advise the higher amount.  One eight-ounce glass of skim milk, or one
eight-ounce serving of yogurt contains 300 mg of calcium.  Dairy products are
the best source of calcium, but it is also found in smaller quantities in
vegetables:  broccoli, soybeans, collards and turnip greens.  Canned sardines
and salmon are also good sources of calcium provided you include the bones in
your recipes.  The vitamin D in milk can help your body absorb calcium while
the oxalates in spinach, beets, rhubarb, and other vegetables could reduce
absorption in poorly nourished individuals.  Adding a session or two of
aerobic exercise each week can also help you in your battle against
osteoporosis.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.