Calcium And Osteoporosis

Why is calcium important for osteoporosis?

Calcium is important for osteoporosis because it helps build bone mass. Osteoporosis is a long-term medical condition that causes your body to break down more bone than it makes. Your bones become weak, brittle, and more likely to fracture.

How much calcium do I need?

• Infants:
  
  
  • 0 to 6 months: 200 mg
    
    
  • 6 to 12 months: 260 mg
  
  
• Children:
  
  
  • 1 to 3 years: 700 mg
    
    
  • 4 to 8 years: 1,000 mg
    
    
  • 9 to 18 years: 1,300 mg
  
  
• Women:
  
  
  • 19 to 50 years: 1,000 mg
    
    
  • Over 50: 1,200 mg
    
    
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding, 19 to 50 years: 1,000 mg
  
  
• Men:
  
  
  • 19 to 70: 1,000 mg
    
    
  • Over 70: 1,200 mg

Which foods contain calcium?

• Dairy:
  
  
  • 1 cup of low-fat plain yogurt (415 mg) or low-fat fruit yogurt (245 to 384 mg)
    
    
  • 1½ ounces of shredded cheddar cheese (306 mg) or part skim mozzarella cheese (275 mg)
    
    
  • 1 cup of skim, 2% milk, or whole milk (300 mg)
    
    
  • 1 cup of cottage cheese made with 2% milk fat (138 mg)
    
    
  • ½ cup of frozen yogurt (103 mg)
  
  
• Other foods:
  
  
  • 1 cup of calcium-fortified orange juice (300 mg)
    
    
  • ½ cup of cooked collard greens (220 mg)
    
    
  • 4 canned sardines, with bones (242 mg)
    
    
  • ½ cup of tofu (with added calcium) (204 mg)

What are some ways to get extra calcium?

• Add powdered milk to puddings, cocoa, custard, or hot cereal.
  
  
• Sift powdered milk into flour when you make cakes, cookies, or breads.
  
  
• Use low-fat or fat-free milk instead of water in pancake mix, mashed potatoes, pudding, and hot breakfast cereals.
  
  
• Add low-fat or fat-free cheese to salad, soup, or pasta.
  
  
• Add tofu (with added calcium) to vegetable stir-fry.
  
  
• Take calcium supplements if you cannot get enough calcium from the foods you eat. Your body can absorb the most calcium from supplements when you take 500 mg or less at one time. Do not take more than 2,500 mg of calcium each day.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Learn more about Calcium And Osteoporosis