"Calcium Pills Causing Heart Attacks!"
Written By Summerside Chiropractic Clinic on December 19, 2016
Seems Like you just cannot win when you listen to the pendulum of research swing back and forth. By the time the media puts their spin on it to get headlines you feel like you may as well just eat a cardboard box. Here's where it's at for calcium...
If you are at risk for osteoporosis then a supplement is still a good idea especially if you can't get enough in your food. What is enough?
It depends on your age. About 500mg for toddlers, 1300mg for teens and up to 1500 for those at risk for osteoporosis. Everyone else needs around a 1000mg. Those at risk for osteoporosis are the fine boned and low body fat types. This is just a general rule though. You can have your chiropractor or general practitioner order a bone density test to be sure.
Where to get calcium in your diet? While milk products are one way there is some question about the bioavailabilty in this form. Bioavailabilty is the amount that actually gets into your bloodstream from the food. I suggest going to other sources such as canned salmon, kale, broccoli, almonds, spinach, beet greens, okra, trout and fortified orange juice. All of these other sources of calcium also have numerous other great health benefits including minerals, vitamins and other healthy fats and/or protein.
Remember, you can't get strong bones sitting on your butt. You've got to do weight bearing exercise to build bone. You also need vitamin D. The research is still very supportive of supplementing with vitamin D. I recommend 2000 IU's/ day. The easiest way to get it is in the liquid form. I line up the oatmeal bowls in the morning and give everyone a couple drops (except Nico, he only gets one drop because he's only 2 years old).
Good eating, Dr. D.
(Sept 20,2012)
Posted In:
Health Tips
Nutrition
