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Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30016
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Posted on: 3/10/10 1:52 PM ET
Yesterday I saw my doctor for a routine procedure, and he happened to mention that at my age (56) I should be sure to get enough calcium. He recommended supplements -- 1200 mg per day and 800+ units of vitamin D (crucial to calcium absorption). But the thing that really struck me was his explanation about why we need to make sure we get enough calcium. He said that the body doesn't run a deficit on calcium -- even old women with advanced osteoporosis will show normal calcium readings. Why? Because if the body isn't getting enough calcium it just takes it -- from our bones. This image was enough to make me go out and buy some calcium/vitamin D tablets, believe me. I'm not trying to hand out medical advice, just passing on the visual in case it helps any others keep on top of their calcium intake, to avoid bone loss and damage.

The doctor also said that when bone mass is compromised in this way, bones become more porous and brittle, which is why it's often so disastrous for elderly people when they fall. (Kind of like what happens if you take a piece of old, dried-out plaster and snap it. Yikes.)


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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

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If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 2/17/08
Posts: 859
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Posted on: 3/10/10 2:15 PM ET
In reply to Vintage Joan
Very interesting. I'm 35 so I guess supplementing now will really help me later. Especially since I already fall down more than I care to admit. We only have two steps in our house and I think they are out to get me.
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Bonnie






  
Member since 2/13/06
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Posted on: 3/10/10 3:07 PM ET
Along those same lines....I was quite surprised to read recently that if we're drinking SKIM milk for the calcium, only about 5% of the calcium is available to us. Apparently we need the fat that's in the full fat milk in order to metabolize the calcium. Or something like that!
  
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Member since 7/1/08
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Posted on: 3/10/10 4:08 PM ET
In reply to Sellwood sewer
Harvard article on calcium

Milk fat actually prevents absorption according to some studies. I think if you read the article you'll find out we're just starting to make sense of the whole complicated issue.

The largest factor after diet is heredity. If you're "big boned" you probably have all you need genetically to go fracture free. It's the tiny petite slim women who suffer the most bone loss from genetic factors. I always knew my butt (from maternal grandmother) would give me enough padding to prevent fractures! My bone density is fine. My younger sister is not built like me and she has osteoporosis problems already.
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Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
  
Member since 3/4/09
Posts: 1711
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Posted on: 3/10/10 4:25 PM ET
Nice to hear my big bones are good for something! I may not be able to wear normal size rings (my fingers are huge), or borrow my mom's watches or bracelets, but at least I won't be at risk when I get older. (Well, actually, it's a second benefit. The first is that I've realized that my big bones help to keep me from looking too squishy when I gain weight, since even with my extra 30-40 pounds, my collarbone is still defined and my ribs and pelvic bones still stick out a bit.)
  
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Member since 3/1/06
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Posted on: 3/10/10 4:37 PM ET
In reply to Sharon1952
Quote: Sharon1952
The largest factor after diet is heredity.

My mom is proof that heredity plays a huge factor. She took a nasty slip in the shower when she was 64. Despite bruising, she didn't break any bones, thank goodness.

Of course I believe we should always have a good diet, too. Milk chocolate counts for calcium, right?
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 453
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Posted on: 3/10/10 6:20 PM ET
Another HUGE factor that will reduce or even eliminate any hereditary benefits of being big boned, great diet, etc. is if a person is on steroids (esp. pred) and/or asthma meds.

My father was a big guy, 6'1" full of muscle (in his younger days, lol) and at least 280# of German/Am. Indian decent. Not the type of person you would expect to have osteoporosis. However, in his mid 60's he fell and broke a hip. That was when we discovered that his bones were like those of a bird, hollow and brittle

It was the years of asthma meds and later the ones for COPD/CHF that did a number on his bones. The docs NEVER recommended supplementation or even the possibility of osteoporosis.

He never made a full recovery from that fall and we lost him in '01 at 69 years old.
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“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi
“ Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Now Blogging at http://sewexotic.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 3/20/08
Posts: 371
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Posted on: 3/10/10 6:42 PM ET
I recently had a "bone density" ultra sound. I was given some info after and it should be on the website listed below but one interesting thing they said is "Eat foods high in calcium and that reduce calcium losses such as leafy vegetables and AVOID foods that are high in calcium but increase losses such as "dairy products".

I believe foods eaten in balance with others etc. are what we should strive for. Strangely enough the people I know that drank milk all the time as children (beyond 3 glasses a day) were the ones that broke the most bones. Maybe there is something to it.

I guess it is the old rock and hard spot predicament again lol.

http://health-wave.ca/BWDnutritionAndExercise.html
  
Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 3/10/10 8:40 PM ET
AND do exercise that increases flexibility and balance, such as yoga. Better ankle flexibility will make it more likely that you will actually avoid that fall.

My MIL recently fell and broke her wrist while bowling (she is soon to be 82) but her new "bionic" hip from a few years ago and all the strong bone around it are fine, thank goodness. The wrist alone is making her pretty cranky. I don't know how she'll manage when golf seasons starts if she can't grip that club every day!
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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 3/10/10 9:46 PM ET
In reply to SewRaeMe
I have not checked your link but as a person who cannot digest cow dairy products, I get very frustrated that at least in Canada the dairy industry gets funding to promote consuming dairy products.

There are other sources of calcium in a healthy diet that are not promoted to any extent.

Often you will hear comments that somebody fell and broke their hip, often it is the opposite their hip breaks and then they fall.

Tourist I hope you mil mends quickly.
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Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
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