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Calcium Osteoporosis

A friend tells me that eating pecans (10 nuts a day) has Calcuim and that I would not need to take Calcium supplements. I have osteo. Do I need to take Calcium anyways. What kind and amount?
( 2 Apr 2009)

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Osteoporosis literally means “thinning of bone”. It is a disease in which the bones become thin, brittle and consequently prone to pain and injury. This happens when the mass of the bones, technically called the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) decreases due to the wear and tear of bone tissue.

The most adversely affected areas are the hips, wrists and the backbone. While osteoporosis can affect both men and women, it is more common in postmenopausal women due to the sharp decline in the estrogen level in their body. Hormonal imbalances like testosterone deficiency and thyroxin excess may also cause this condition.

Lack of essential nutrients like Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus in an individual’s daily diet is also a major cause for osteoporosis. Diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are other factors that can lead to this condition.

There are a few simple exercises you could follow if your ailment has been detected in its early stages. Regular forms of exercise like jogging, walking and swimming help increase the bone mineral density and tone up the limbs and the back, thereby lessening the chances of falls. Another useful form of exercise is to walk in chest-deep water for half an hour three times a week. This remedy is effective because the water bears the body weight and eases the pressure on the bones, while your muscles are exercised and strengthened. Besides these exercises, it is necessary that you consume a minimum of 1000mgs of calcium in your diet every day. Calcium supplements are a convenient and safe substitute, but you could make up for the lack of calcium in your diet by drinking four cups of milk every day. Other milk products like cheese and yoghurt can also be included in the diet, as they are all rich sources of calcium. Keep in mind that only fresh milk contains fortified Vitamin D, which helps prevent and slow osteoporosis. You could also increase your consumption of soy products in order to combat osteoporosis. Soybean contains isoflavones, which are natural chemical agents that regulate the level of estrogen in the body. 40gms of soy isoflavones can be directly consumed daily instead of soy-based food products. Drinking dandelion leaf tea is also known to increase the bone mineral density. Consume 250gms of chaste berry extract or the same amount of dong quai (a Chinese herb) every day for three to four months. Both these herbs help balance estrogen levels in the body. Black cohosh is also effective in preventing osteoporosis. Eat 20-40gms of this herb twice every day. As per your question pertaining to pecan nuts, 100 gms of these nuts provide you with 72 mg calories, so you will have to do the math depending on your daily requirements. Many people suffering from Osteoporosis have problems with mineral absorption. Consult your doctor before you stop taking any medication. However, in the mean time, you can have them alongside your other medication.

answered by G M on 2 Apr 2009, 12:56:13

Calcium Osteoporosis

A friend tells me that eating pecans (10 nuts a day) has Calcuim and that I would not need to take Calcium supplements. I have osteo. Do I need to take Calcium anyways. What kind and amount? ( 2 Apr 2009)

A friend tells me that eating pecans (10 nuts a day) has Calcuim and that I would not need to take Calcium supplements. I have osteo. Do I need to take Calcium anyways. What kind and amount?
( 2 Apr 2009)