A healthy diet is better than a calcium boost
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A low calcium intake (less than 500mg a day) contributes to the development of osteoporosis. A recommended calcium intake is around 1000-1500mg a day.
The amount of calcium in the bones is carefully regulated by hormones. Increasing your calcium intake does not build more bone any more than delivering more bricks will make a construction crew build a larger house.
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A diet covering the bones’ diverse nutritional needs – including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin K, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, silicon and other essential nutrients – is more beneficial than supplementing with large amounts of calcium.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which the body also uses to allow the heart, muscles and nerves to function properly. If you are not absorbing enough calcium from food your body takes the calcium it needs from your bones.
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Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight, and is obtained from diet. As we age the skin’s ability to make vitamin D decreases. It is recommended that we take 400 to 800 international units of vitamin D daily. Major food sources of vitamin D are fortified dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver.
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If you are not absorbing enough calcium then diet alone may not be enough to ensure healthy bones. Another reason it is important to have a bone calcium test.
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