|
|
|
|
|
Certain things can rob your bones of their strength by drawing calcium and other minerals from bone, or by affecting how these nutrients are absorbed and deposited.
| WHAT | WHY | | Sodium | Getting too much increases calcium loss. Reduce sodium, eat more foods rich in potassium (fruits/veggies). | | Caffeine | Too much increases calcium loss. Keep caffeine to no more than 3 cups of coffee, tea/day. | | Alcohol | Drinking beyond moderation (1 drink/day for women – 1-2/day for men) limits the activity of bone-building cells. | | Smoking | Smoking suppresses estrogen levels which would otherwise protect bones from losing calcium. | Aggressive
dieting | Strict diets = poor nutrition which means bones are not getting the ingredients they need to build new tissue. | | Certain medications | Steroids are linked with calcium loss from bones. Heavy use of antacids may reduce the absorption of bone-building minerals in the stomach. | | Digestive problems | Irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and other digestive troubles can limit the absorption of bone-helping nutrients. | | Too much vitamin A (supplements) | Vitamin A (retinol) is the problem. Too much may stifle bone-building cells while encouraging the activity of cells that break bone down. Pick multi-vitamins that contain primarily beta-carotene as the source of vitamin A. | | Stress | Constant stress suppresses the immune system which may cause calcium to be released from bones. Stress may alter the activity of hormones which would otherwise protect bone from losing minerals. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Good Foods for Good Health program should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for medical care.
Always consult your health care provider regarding health issues or concerns. |
|
