Calcium, vitamin D and protein - Bone Health and O...

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Calcium, vitamin D and protein

strongmouse profile image
10 Replies

Hello, I am just posting this for information. I follow a couple of forums on osteoporosis as I have osteoporosis and want to keep as informed as possible. Recently someone posted about an article on the benefit of taking extra protein alongside calcium and vitamin D supplements.

I am going to check my own diet to see how much protein I take. As I'm in my 70s I thought I didn't need as much but now I'm wondering ... the article makes a lot of sense.

web.archive.org/web/2014100...

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strongmouse
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Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

Thank you for the link. Have you looked at this ROS information page? I found it helpful - so many ways of getting calcium into your diet.

theros.org.uk/information-a...

There is a similar one for vitamin D.

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply toFruitandnutcase

Yes, thanks I have. I take supplements because I have quite a few food allergies and intolerance.,as well as taking antireflux medication. I follow the Strong Bones website for exercise ideas too. My mother had osteoporosis, as do I, so anything which potentially helps is great.

buddy99 profile image
buddy99 in reply tostrongmouse

For people who are lactose intolerant (or plant based), this might be helpful: medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Met00 profile image
Met00 in reply tobuddy99

Lactose intolerance doesn't mean you need to avoid dairy, as there's plenty of lactose free milk, cheese and yoghourt available. But you're right of course, dairy isn't the only source of calcium. I've read a few times though, that plant-derived calcium is less easily absorbed, so assume you'd need to eat more to ensure adequate intake.

Met00 profile image
Met00

I came across the same article some years ago and was impressed with the thinking behind it. I've since read other articles that point to the importance of protein for our bones and also suggesting that we need 1.2g/kg body weight. Having said that, I believe my calcium and protein intake have been very good for the last few years, yet I've failed to increase bone density at my hip, so I think maybe the article is a bit optimistic about what might be achieved!

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply toMet00

I expect our genes play a part to, but it is still worth doing what we can to try to minimise the effects. I can't do a lot of exercise because of other health issues, but read recently about keeping the muscles which help our balance strong to help prevent falls. which seemed sensible advice.

Met00 profile image
Met00 in reply tostrongmouse

Yes, I read that most fractures occur as a result of falls, so preventing falls is more effective at preventing fractures than any amount of medication. Of course that won't be true for anyone who fractures simply from sneezing, turning over in bed etc.

josephinius1 profile image
josephinius1 in reply toMet00

Yep. My fractures, so far, are mostly in my spine and unrelated to falls. I did break my wrist in a fall, but I've fallen quite a few times (as a (now, former) runner, and while cross country skiing ,) and come out unscathed. So far. It's my spine, gah! The stupidest things can hurt it.

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply tojosephinius1

That sounds tough. I have cervical osteophytes (unrelated to osteoporosis, I think) which press against the spinal nerve at neck level and cause pain, numbness down my arm, plus lumbar disc bulge causing sciatica, but no actual fractures.

What complicated beings we are!

Dorsetlass2300 profile image
Dorsetlass2300

Thank you for posting this article. There is a lot of debate about protein and from what I have read, 1 gram for every kilogram that we weigh is a good ratio. Too much protein is just converted into sugar and fat and so makes us fatter! I recently listened to a podcast on this with Tim Spector of Zoe.

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