09/15/2021
Keep Bones Healthy by Focusing on What You Can Control…
There are many positive actions you can take to keep your bones in good shape as you age.
Get enough calcium…
Calcium is a mineral that does many useful functions in our body, including making our bones strong. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium is 1,000 milligrams for people ages 19 to 50 and men ages 51 to 70. For women over the age of 50 and for men over the ages of 70, 1,200 milligrams of calcium is recommended.
While calcium supplements can be helpful, it’s also important to try and get calcium through your diet. Foods like almonds, broccoli, eggs and cheese, tofu, and cabbage have high levels of calcium. Overall, try and incorporate a colorful array of vegetables into your diet to increase calcium levels.
Get enough Vitamin D…
One of the functions of vitamin D is serving as an absorption portal for calcium. If you don’t have enough vitamin D, increasing your calcium intake won’t be effective. Adults ages 19 to 70 need 600 international units (IUs) per day. Adults over 70 need 800 IUs of vitamin D per day.
Supplements can aid in vitamin D levels as can foods found in your diet. Foods high in vitamin D include salmon, trout, tuna, mushrooms, and eggs. A well-rounded diet that includes vegetables, grains, and healthy fats provide many of the vitamins and minerals that are needed for optimal health.
Get moving…
To build strong bones and slow bone loss, incorporate strength training into your fitness routine. This includes weight-bearing exercises like walking, climbing stairs, and working with weights or resistance bands.
Get enough to eat…
It’s important to get enough healthy calories each day. At a minimum, you should eat 1,200 calories each day. Diets that dip below 1,200 calories are harmful for a variety of reasons, including damaging your bone health. Your muscle mass, vitamin and mineral absorption, and even mental health can be negatively impacted by not eating enough calories each day.