Smart nutrition is key to preventing osteoporosis. In this Health Smarts video, women's health expert Vonda Wright, MD, shares tips to get your calcium and explains why vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium are important for bone health, too.
Hi, I'm Dr. Wright. Most of us don't give much thought to our bones, until we break one, but according the national austrio process foundation, half of all women over the age of 50 will break a bone, and the risk is even higher for women who are diagnosed with austrio process, but you can win the battle of the bones if you pack your diet with plenty of calcium.
Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, are among the best sources and eight ounce glass of milk contains 314 milligrams of calcium, almost a third of what's recommended for women under the age of 50 and a quarter of what's needed by women over the age of 50. Bear in mind that your body and absorb only 500 to 600 milligrams of calcium at a time.
So try to get it from your food throughout the day. Also, load up on fruits and veggies, they are rich in vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium, nutrients that play important roles in bone health. For more ways to nourish healthy bones, watch all our smart tips, right here.
Osteoporosis affects both men and women. Learn about bone density screening and find out how good nutrition (especially vitamin D) and exercise, such as strength training, help build strong bones to prevent osteoporosis.
See All Healthy Aging