by Lindsay Cayton
(Provo, UT, USA)
A concern for many aging women is osteoporosis. As we age our bone mineral density decreases causing bones to become more porous and brittle which then leads to an increased possibility of fractures. More women die each year from hip fractures than from breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer combined. However, the effects of osteoporosis can be decreased through dietary habits and participation in weight bearing activity.
It is a common practice in America for people to eat meat often and in large portions. However, intake of excessive animal proteins can have negative effects on the body. Excess protein causes a mild acidosis in the body which returns to its normal state by removing calcium from the bones.
It has also been found that high sodium intake will decrease calcium uptake. An intake of just 2300mg of sodium causes 80mg of calcium to be lost in the urine. Individuals who maintain high sodium and high animal protein diets need to intake up to 2000mg of calcium per day. The average American falls well below this required value. However, those who have a dietary intake low in sodium and animal protein only require 400mg of protein a day to maintain bone density.
Without the recommended amount of calcium bones weaken and osteoporosis can progress more quickly.
Another way to decrease the negative effects of osteoporosis is to participate in weight bearing