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Three Dietary Changes To Help Treat Or Prevent Osteoporosis

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If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to help treat the problem. Certain dietary changes can also help to stop the progress of this disease. Changes in your diet that you make today can have a profound effect on the quality of your life in the future. Likewise, if you have a history of osteoporosis in your family, but have not been diagnosed with this disease, certain dietary changes can help you from developing this disease. The following are the most important vitamins and minerals you need to get plenty of in your daily food.

Calcium

Calcium helps bone growth, but once you are an adult, a diet rich in calcium will help to reduce the loss of bone as you grow older, so it is never too late to add calcium to your diet. Although milk is known as a rich source of calcium, many people cannot tolerate drinking it. In addition, the fat content may be too high for your diet. There are other good sources of calcium, especially green vegetables. Examples include broccoli, okra, and leafy greens such as spinach. If you like tofu, this is also a good source of calcium.

Vitamin D

This vitamin works hand in hand with calcium. Although it serves many functions, it helps your body absorb calcium. So even if you are getting enough calcium, without sufficient vitamin D, your body may not be able to absorb all of the calcium that it needs. As you probably know, milk and other dairy products are high in vitamin D, but there are plenty of sources to get this important vitamin. At the top of the list are oily fish such as trout. Tofu is a good source of both vitamin D as well as calcium. In the produce section, you can select your favorite mushrooms. Also, keep in mind that your body can produce vitamin D—all that is needed is a few minutes of exposure to the sunlight each day.

Magnesium

As is the case with calcium, magnesium can help reduce bone loss. Adding certain foods to your diet can help prevent a deficiency with this mineral. Some of the foods rich in magnesium are the same as those listed above. Tofu is a good example. If you start eating tofu, you will help your body with magnesium, calcium and vitamin D. Broccoli and spinach are also good sources of magnesium, but certain nuts and seeds are too. Almonds are rich in magnesium. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are good choices for this nutrient as well.

The three nutrients listed above will help to slow down and even stop the further deterioration of your bones from osteoporosis. They can also help prevent you from getting this bone condition as well. Click here to learn more.


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